Thailand and Malaysia have greenlit a new rail route connecting Bangkok to Penang, promising to enhance travel and stimulate economic ties between the two nations.

 

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) recently revealed plans to initiate a train service from Bangkok’s Bang Sue Grand Terminal to Penang in Malaysia in two to three months. The announcement followed the 42nd KTMB–SRT Joint Conference held in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, from August 13-16.

 

Mr. Ekkarat Sri-arayangpong, Chief of the Office of the Governor of the State Railway of Thailand, reported that this project was spearheaded by Mr. Awirut Thongnet, Deputy Governor of SRT. This meeting aimed to expand rail cooperation between the countries, ease citizen travel, streamline goods transportation, and boost the economy and tourism in line with the policies of Mr. Surapong Piyachot, Deputy Minister of Transport.

 

During the conference, the operation of a train route from Bangkok Grand Station through Padang Besar to Butterworth, Penang, was approved. This line is expected to foster seamless travel and economic growth. Furthermore, the route of the MySawasdee tourist train will extend from Hat Yai Junction Station in Thailand to Surat Thani Station, owing to the train's popularity, reported Khaosod.

 

A joint working group will set the train service timetable, aiming for a soft launch within the next two to three months, followed by an initial six-month trial period. Expansion in freight transport was also discussed, with SRT ready to support cross-border goods transport on different routes, including Padang Besar–Hat Yai Junction and Hat Yai Junction–Bang Klam/Ban Thung Pho Junction/Kantang.

 

There’s also mention of the successful ASEAN Express service from Malaysia through Thailand to China, which plans to double its frequency from once to twice weekly.

 

This pivotal agreement significantly enhances connectivity and is set to bring considerable economic, trade, and tourism benefits, further positioning Thailand as a regional hub for tourism and logistics.

 

TOP Picture courtesy: MGR online

 

-- 2024-08-21

 

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3 months?! I'd rather fly, thanks

But when will they upgrade the line from Chumphon to the border, it's still single track? Malaysia has already upgraded to double track and fully electrification. 

 

The journey from Butterworth to Bangkok will be about 16hrs, train I presume will be an extension of the current overnight express sleeper, so not much sight seeing, easier to take a flight.

The train would go through my city nakhon pathom, the station being only 5 minutes from my home.

But the thought of hours on a train is mind boggling.

I'd rather drive 90 minutes into Bangkok and fly.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

a new rail route connecting Bangkok to Penang

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

initiate a train service from Bangkok’s Bang Sue Grand Terminal to Penang

 

This "new" route being "initiated" by this committee of rail masterminds ran in various forms from 1922 until its cancellation in 2016. Why the insistence on pretending that this is a revolutionary new idea that no one had ever thought of before? 

 

4 hours ago, webfact said:

There’s also mention of the successful ASEAN Express service from Malaysia through Thailand to China, which plans to double its frequency from once to twice weekly.

 

I'm not aware of any such train existing, at any frequency, particularly since there is no actual rail link between the Bangkok - Vientiane line and the Vientiane - Kunming line.

There’s been a train from Bangkok to Butterworth all 33 years I was there used to use it to do visa runs, it was very convenient.

After taking trains in Europe, taking a train in Thailand seems.....unlikely.

The report fails to mention no trains go to Penang. Geogetown must be one of the few towns with a railway station but no trains. Trains running south from Thailand to Singapore stop at Butterworth permitting passengers travelling to Penang to alight. They must then continue by road bridge to the island or by ferry.

 

50 minutes ago, cnx101 said:

There’s been a train from Bangkok to Butterworth all 33 years I was there used to use it to do visa runs, it was very convenient.

Came to an end I think in 2016 when the Malaysian side was electrified. Word at the time was the diesel trains couldn't use the same line,  nothing has changed in that respect.

I have to assume that rather than getting off at immigration and back on the same train, they are proposing you get back on a Malaysian train.

not holding my breath

1 hour ago, Stocky said:

The journey from Butterworth to Bangkok will be about 16hrs, train I presume will be an extension of the current overnight express sleeper, so not much sight seeing, easier to take a flight.

Think it was about 24 hours when I went down to Butterworth on the train.

Travel options are all about individual perspective, I  don't have a problem travelling by train.

In Feb 2020 I did a border bounce from Chonburi to Pedang Besar by train, In Malaysia for about 4 hours then back on the train, no big deal.

6 hours ago, webfact said:

There’s also mention of the successful ASEAN Express service from Malaysia through Thailand to China, which plans to double its frequency from once to twice weekly.

 

Please excuse my ignorance, but I am sure there is no weekly service from Malaysia through Thailand to China!

Malaysia to Bangkok (metre gauge) - yes!  Bangkok to Vientiane (metre gauge) - yes! Vientiane to China (standard gauge with HST electric trains) - yes!

9 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

 

Please excuse my ignorance, but I am sure there is no weekly service from Malaysia through Thailand to China!

Malaysia to Bangkok (metre gauge) - yes!  Bangkok to Vientiane (metre gauge) - yes! Vientiane to China (standard gauge with HST electric trains) - yes!

It's a freight service that they are trialling . Takes ten days and is designed to compete with sea freight

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/new-freight-train-service-between-selangor-and-yunnan-set-to-spur-malaysia-china-trade

Is the bar open on this train again? It used to be a fun journey even with the palaver of getting your passport stamped early in the morning, is that now changed too?

Nothing new I used to do my Visa runs from the old station in BKK to Butterworth 33 years ago and you could drink in the top end of the train back then.

this is really not a game changer 

It’s not a new route, I’ve done more times than I could count and was sad when it stopped. Of course it’s easier and sometimes cheaper to fly but some of us just enjoy train travel.

6 minutes ago, Fairynuff said:

It’s not a new route, I’ve done more times than I could count

You have never gone to Butterworth from Krung Thep Aphiwat central terminal.

The Special Express No 35 that was axed run from Hua Lamphong to Butterworth.

 

The Malaysian side may be faster now it is electrified but you need a lot more time at Bang Sue, absolutely huge.

25 minutes ago, sandyf said:

You have never gone to Butterworth from Krung Thep Aphiwat central terminal.

The Special Express No 35 that was axed run from Hua Lamphong to Butterworth.

 

The Malaysian side may be faster now it is electrified but you need a lot more time at Bang Sue, absolutely huge.

Obviously.

19 hours ago, Spilornis said:

It's a freight service that they are trialling . Takes ten days and is designed to compete with sea freight

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/new-freight-train-service-between-selangor-and-yunnan-set-to-spur-malaysia-china-trade

 

Do you have any idea how that service actually works? Is part of it done by truck? The new Chinese railroad through Laos isn't connected to the SRT rails, and uses a different gauge as well. Even the writers of that article don't seem to know the specifics of the route.

21 hours ago, khunjeff said:

 

 

This "new" route being "initiated" by this committee of rail masterminds ran in various forms from 1922 until its cancellation in 2016. Why the insistence on pretending that this is a revolutionary new idea that no one had ever thought of before? 

 

 

I'm not aware of any such train existing, at any frequency, particularly since there is no actual rail link between the Bangkok - Vientiane line and the Vientiane - Kunming line.

I must have imagined the train I took from Bkk to Butterworth years ago then.

 

The track was a lot better on the Malay side of the border, but the idea that this is a "new" service is a nonsense.

 

21 hours ago, hotchilli said:

The train would go through my city nakhon pathom, the station being only 5 minutes from my home.

But the thought of hours on a train is mind boggling.

I'd rather drive 90 minutes into Bangkok and fly.

That's you. I enjoyed every trip I did on the train in LOS. Much preferred to flying.

21 hours ago, Stocky said:

The journey from Butterworth to Bangkok will be about 16hrs, train I presume will be an extension of the current overnight express sleeper, so not much sight seeing, easier to take a flight.

I wasn't aware that it was dark in that part of the world for 16 hours.

Why is it easier to fly with all the <deleted> security checks and airport hassles? Train was an enjoyable experience, unlike flying.

14 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I wasn't aware that it was dark in that part of the world for 16 hours.

Why is it easier to fly with all the <deleted> security checks and airport hassles? Train was an enjoyable experience, unlike flying.

I should have said the greater proportion of the journey will be in the dark. 

 

As for flying versus the train, that's a matter of personal preference, I prefer to fly. 

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

That's you. I enjoyed every trip I did on the train in LOS. Much preferred to flying.

Through to Penang, or just a part journey?

17 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Through to Penang, or just a part journey?

I went from Bkk to Butterworth and back on the train. Loved the trip. Loved the decrepit restaurant car, loved feeling the carriage lurching on the old style bolted track, loved going to sleep and waking up now and then and looking out at sleeping towns as we passed through, waking up in the morning after the sun barely up and seeing the passing scenery, and eating the restaurant breakfast at my seat.

It was all far more adventurous that sitting in a tin can for a few hours and having the security hassle.

The only thing I didn't love about train travel in LOS was the toilet experience in a lurching carriage.

 

Most of my many train trips were from Bkk to Surat Thani, but also Bkk to Chiang Mai. Every one an adventure, and usually with an agreeable companion to snuggle up with in a lower bunk.

 

I did one trip from Pattaya to the eastern end- think it cost 20 baht.

 

The sprinter was a good way to see country scenery, as went in daylight, but not as enjoyable as the sleeper.

19 hours ago, Stocky said:

I should have said the greater proportion of the journey will be in the dark. 

 

As for flying versus the train, that's a matter of personal preference, I prefer to fly. 

Fair enough, but I went to Thailand to experience Thai life, and flying isn't. Sitting in a tin can for hours is the same wherever in the world one does it.

1 minute ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I went from Bkk to Butterworth and back on the train. Loved the trip. Loved the decrepit restaurant car, loved feeling the carriage lurching on the old style bolted track, loved going to sleep and waking up now and then and looking out at sleeping towns as we passed through, waking up in the morning after the sun barely up and seeing the passing scenery, and eating the restaurant breakfast at my seat.

It was all far more adventurous that sitting in a tin can for a few hours and having the security hassle.

The only thing I didn't love about train travel in LOS was the toilet experience in a lurching carriage.

 

Most of my many train trips were from Bkk to Surat Thani, but also Bkk to Chiang Mai. Every one an adventure, and usually with an agreeable companion to snuggle up with in a lower bunk.

 

I did one trip from Pattaya to the eastern end- think it cost 20 baht.

 

The sprinter was a good way to see country scenery, as went in daylight, but not as enjoyable as the sleeper.

I have done the 3 hour trip from Nakhon Pathom to Hua Hin many times for short breaks.

That's as you say on the old style train. lurching all over the place, stopping at most stations to drop-off or pick-up passengers.

Not food car but vendors get on and off at most stations selling their wares.

No air-con just an open window and the ceiling fans, as you say, having the time to look at the passing scenery.

Maybe I should look at a trip further south.

Those Malaysian dudes like to get their oats in Thailand, they will use the new trains for sure. I can't see them going to far beyond the border towns, not when there's rumpy pumpy to be had 24/7 there.