Bangkok To Butterworth By Train No Longer...

[Khun Bob]

Called hua lampong today about availability of seats on the bkk butterworth express in early august and got told the service is no longer available and only goes to had yai ! Very surprised about this - asked why and got an answer in thai that i didnt understand - still i wasnt getting very far speaking english so switched to thai which gave some better results, but when it comes to more than a few word responses it is not so easy. Answer seemed to indicate that SRT didnt want trains going out of thailand. It is their carriages that go to Penang but it is pulled by a malaysian loco.

Girl i spoke to suggested getting the langkawi express from had yai which means an 8 hour wait in had yai - not good.

Just checked out the website and seat availbilty for the dates and services i thought i could travel on before making the phone call and there is nothing there to suggest a change from before - just wonder if i picked the wrong girl to call - will be trying again as if this is true it is not good.

Will keep this updated with results - if anyone knows any info on this would appreciate to hear - hope this is not the case..

Cheers

[ovenman]

Answer seemed to indicate that SRT didnt want trains going out of thailand. It is their carriages that go to Penang but it is pulled by a malaysian loco.

I'm guessing that if this story is, in fact, true, then it has more to do with not enough ridership on the Hat Yai-Butterworth segment than any concern about the Thai coaches running into Malaysia. Why would this suddenly be a problem after having done so for how many years?

If true, this would also make for some interesting logistics. The International Express and the Langkawi Ekspres are timed to meet at the border at Padang Besar, so that they can swap engines. In other words, the Thai engine that took the International Express to the border from Hat Yai and points north hauls the Malaysian-run Langkawi Ekspres from Padang Besar to Hat Yai (and back to Padang Besar).

I'll have one of my Thai friends who is also a train buff make a few calls on Monday to see what the story is...

[Khun Bob]

Thanks ovenman - look forward to hear from you - i will be calling another number tomorrow to see if i get the same story...

Just seems strange that on the online seat availability checker it still states butterworth and is giving different numbers of avalable seats in early august - but as i was told the service will still run but just to had yai - and websites being updated are very much an afterthought - especially english language websites - in thailand

I have just downloaded the latest thai timetables and will be checking them out - interestingly i noticed before that the english timetables dont have the cheapest services on there - but that is another story...

[lopburi3]

Will add that in the early 1990's the Thai train stopped at the border on one side of platform and you boarded a Malaysian train for the trip to Butterworth from the other side for a period. So that route has had several variations.

[markt]

Will add that in the early 1990's the Thai train stopped at the border on one side of platform and you boarded a Malaysian train for the trip to Butterworth from the other side for a period. So that route has had several variations.

I remember that too. - Then when i first went back to Penang after it had changed, i was quite amused to find Malaysian staff working the Thai carriages!

[ovenman]

I had my friend make a call to the SRT folks at Hualamphong today. The story he got was that they are selling seats on the International Express to/from Butterworth until 31 August. After that, the schedule has not been confirmed. This "non-cofirmation" does not mean that the service will be suspended, nor does it mean that the service will be continued beyond that date.

So the bottom line is that there is no bottom line as yet. The mere fact that they are not selling tickets beyond 31 August (as opposed to the normal two-month advance window) would lead me to conclude that some changes are being seriously considered, even if such changes are not ultimately implemented in the current period. I guess we'll just have to wait and see...

In any event, you should be able to make your booking for early August, at least according to the information we received.

I can't say that it would really surprise me if this service is suspended. Ridership has to be down on the International Express now that AirAsia flies Bangkok-Penang and v.v. for oftentimes about the same cost of the train.

Also, the SRT and the KTM are both equally stupid for not adding some second and third class sitting coaches to the International Express for the run between Hat Yai and Butterworth and back. There is a lot of passenger traffic that travels between the two towns by van, etc. If one wants to travel on the International Express between Hat Yai and Butterworth, one has to pay for an unneeded second class sleeper when a mere seat would suffice. The cost of a second class seat on the Langkawi Ekspres over this route is RM 19.00 (~200 baht). I don't recall the exact fare on the International Express but it was in the neighborhood of 600 baht because one has to take a sleeper. And these guys seriously wonder why their business is down...

[Khun Bob]

Thanks for the replies so far

called again today and told the contract expires at the end of this month - so told no more trains to butterworth direct from august 1 onwards - the girl i spoke to spoke better english and this seems to conflict with the info ovenman has given.

Ovenman do you have some names of people i could speak to in srt who say the service will go on to the end of august ? I have checked out some of the times for the langkawi express and it is not good - ie arrives in butterworth at around 21:00 and leaves from butterworth at around 06:00 - not good. Also a big wait in hat yai...

[asanee]

1. as amrkt above says, for some 2 yrs in the 90ies there was a compulsory change-over in HYai; at that time the other Malay express had just staretd running, so it was the SRT BKk-PBesar-back to Hyai and reverse evening, in lieu of going on to BTW.

In fact NO Thai exprss buses at all are running to malaysia: all the bas ekspres Ive seen, from the late 80ies, have always beenmalay, allowed only as far north as HYai. Thai buses are too WIDE (a few cms) for the old UK-measures using malay roads.

the best forum for this is usually www.2bangkok.com: they will have the news itf its real, and there arre links to the Thai Railfan/railworkers sites, so they will know behindthe curtain info.

Most likely its 1 of those struggles where all those 99+ UK rail companies strive in: (probably copied from Thai bisnismen): da mannie, ngoen, new fees to be set. etc.

And most likely traffic has dwindled too: much more alternatives for the visa-runners, AirAsia (ofen chaper as that train), etc.

[ovenman]

Ovenman do you have some names of people i could speak to in srt who say the service will go on to the end of august ?

Nah, my friend just called the booking office at Hualamphong and that's the information he was given. Seemed pretty straightforward, except that whoever he spoke to had no idea what the future would hold for the service to Butterworth. No chance for something to get lost in the translation since my friend is Thai and he conducted the conversation in Thai.

Sounds like the typical TIT situation: ask a simple question and receive three conflicting answers. I'll have my friend call again tomorrow and see what he can unearth. He'll be interested to hear that the information you were given today contradicts what the SRT agent told him.

[ovenman]

the best forum for this is usually www.2bangkok.com: they will have the news itf its real, and there arre links to the Thai Railfan/railworkers sites, so they will know behindthe curtain info.

I just took a look at that web site and their forum. If anybody knows anything about a pending curtailment of service on the International Express, they ain't talkin'!

[baboon]

Lack of passengers? The train is always busy everytime I use it. Yes,it can quieten down between Hat Yai and Padang Besar but gets busy again with Malay commuters.I see no LOGICAL reason this service should be halted.Will be following this one with interest.

[mike_rad]

Will add that in the early 1990's the Thai train stopped at the border on one side of platform and you boarded a Malaysian train for the trip to Butterworth from the other side for a period. So that route has had several variations.

I remember also. They're often changing it around. Remember also how, around the same time in the early '90s, for a long period, it was a regular Thai express, ie with different carriages for aircon, fan and chair? And which went all the way to B'worth?

[Kan Win]

Trains

http://seat61.com/Thailand.htm

Hope this site helps you all around the World as well.

Yours truly,

Kan Win

[fxm88]

I've just come on the train last week from Bangkok to Butterworth. You didn't specify but I'm going to assume you asked for a first class (cabin). For whatever reason, the first class car only goes as far as Hat Yai. However, the second class car continues on to the border and on to Butterworth. You can take second class all the way; or first class to Hat Yai then hop off to quickly buy the ticket to Butterworth and hop back on before the train leaves.

[ovenman]

My Thai friend just called the SRT folks at Hualamphong again. Same story as yesterday: they're taking bookings for the current International Express service until 31 August. Today they also informed my friend that the train should exist beyond the end of August but they are anticipating a schedule change. (Pure speculation on my part regarding a potential schedule change: I wonder whether the powers-that-be are considering timing the International Express so that it connects with the Langkawi Ekspres in Hat Yai?)

[Khun Bob]

Hmmm - I'll try calling again tomorrow and make sure i specify second class

Ovenman - does your friend say he wants to go to butterworth or just ask if the train is running as i have been told that the train will run after end of july but terminate at had yai ?

For info - there are some new thai timetables on the srt webite and on there it states when they were produced and does state the international express is going to butterworth, but does not say anything about changes or terminating the service.

Also will be looking at getting the langlawi express as well in case it is the end of july going direct to butterworth - just on this point does anyone know the time of the last and first ferries to penang island as the langkawi express gets there around 9pm and leaves at around 6am...

[ovenman]

Ovenman - does your friend say he wants to go to butterworth or just ask if the train is running as i have been told that the train will run after end of july but terminate at had yai ?

Butterworth, specifically.

Also will be looking at getting the langlawi express as well in case it is the end of july going direct to butterworth - just on this point does anyone know the time of the last and first ferries to penang island as the langkawi express gets there around 9pm and leaves at around 6am...

The ferry runs 24 hours/day. The service frequency has been curtailed, especially at non-peak hours but as far as I know, it's still a 24 hour service. You should see if there is a posted schedule at the dock and definitely allow extra time to get across in the morning if you have to catch the Langkawi Ekspres.

[Khun Bob]

Ovenman - thanks for the info on the ferries - i hope this is the case as i would have to have a massive wait in had yai and then get another long wait in butterworth so that i can get onto the island

Well another day, another call and another story from the Hua Lampong Info service. Today I was told that there will be a single train running to butterworth, but in august they can only sell tickets to had yai. Told that I will have to buy another ticket to get to butterworth and i would be able to buy the ticket in hua lampong and could get it on the day of travel.

Told a ticket to had yai will be 945 baht ( this doesnt corroborate with the published prices on the srt web site bt is the distance in km's to had yai !) and a ticket from had yai to butterworth would be abount 300 baht which is more than the malaysian railways 19 ringit (about 190-200 baht)

Any more info appreciated....

Edited July 26, 2006 by Khun Bob

[ovenman]

Ovenman - thanks for the info on the ferries - i hope this is the case as i would have to have a massive wait in had yai and then get another long wait in butterworth so that i can get onto the island

I stand corrected on the 24 hour service bit. According to a Wikipedia article the last ferry from Butterworth to Georgetown is now at 01:00 and the first crossing from Georgetown to Butterworth is at 05:30. You should just make the northbound Langkawi Ekspres but you're gonna have to hustle. They really have cut back on the ferry service...

At this point, you ought to go to any train station and try to buy a Bangkok-Butterworth ticket for the day you want to travel (without informing the ticket agent of any of this controversy). See what availability the SRT booking computer spits out.

[my friend I]

There are hotels in Butterworth if you don't want to risk the ferry service to Georgetown, & back.

[ovenman]

There are hotels in Butterworth if you don't want to risk the ferry service to Georgetown, & back.

Anything decent and at a reasonable price? I was always under the impression (perhaps mistaken) that the hotels in Butterworth were mostly dives.

[my friend I]

The hotels close to the station are dives . There are others towards the north that are ok for 8 hours.

Don't remember the names.

Last November I went on the Lan Express. It arrived at Butterworth about 9pm & left about 15 minutes later.

I just checked the malaysian train website & they are still showing those same times.

[my friend I]

The hotels close to the station are dives . There are others towards the north that are ok for 8 hours.

Don't remember the names.

Last November I went on the Lan Express. It arrived at Butterworth about 9pm & left about 15 minutes later.

I just checked the malaysian train website & they are still showing those same times.

Sorry , was thinking about onward travel south not back to Thai.

[Khun Bob]

Well got a ticket to padang besar for early august - apparently changes in september - however it seems the price has been hiked 200bt since last time - was 970 baht for a lower bunk - last time - about 5 months ago recall paying 770 baht to padang besar then buying a ticket from PB to butterworth for 6 ringit.

I'd like to get on the mainland as i get free accomodation then - still there is the waiting room in the train station butterworth or could sleep with all the nice people under the bridge selling bus tickets (no way...)

Cheking with my expert on penang about the ferrines - also have the tel no of the train ticket station pehang side so could give them a call.

Any more info appreciated...

[ovenman]

I dropped by Hualamphong today to buy some train tix. While there, I inquired as to the status of the International Express. Same story that my friend received from the SRT on the phone: service to/from Butterworth until 31 August. After that, who knows...?

I also grabbed the latest set of Thai-language timetables while at Hualamphong. Interestingly, these timetables now show the timings for the Langkawi Ekspres for Hat Yai-Butterworth-Kuala Lumpur stations. The timetables also now list several KTM trains on the KL-Singapore line with very abbreviated information.

[lopburi3]

Actually there is no need or reason that I can think of to even use the Hat Yai to Butterworth train sector as there is good bus/van service and even share taxi to/from Penang Island from Hat Yai. Faster than train and no more expensive.

With the discount airline service you really do not need to travel by train to save money - if you prefer surface travel and money is not an object recommend charter taxi for yourself between Hat Yai and Penang; either one way or return. Believe taxi service still operate from next door to Kings Hotel in Hat Yai and at the front of bus station (next to train station) in Butterworth (probably also from some places on Penang itself).

[Khun Bob]

Actually there is no need or reason that I can think of to even use the Hat Yai to Butterworth train sector as there is good bus/van service and even share taxi to/from Penang Island from Hat Yai. Faster than train and no more expensive.

I'm surprised - what sort of price is the had yai to penang bus/van service ?

I fugure I pay about 35 baht extra for had yai to padang besar, then in the past i have bought a KTM ticket from the station to butterworth for about 6 ringit - so cost here is about 95 baht or 9 ringit for had yai to butterworth.

Ovenman - is there any info on the timetables to suggest if a change over in had yai is necessary and when that may be - i just wonder if this could be a source - if the answer is no thats ok as it has been answered many times here all ready...

[lopburi3]

I have not traveled that route for some years but believe I usually paid 200 baht for van and 250 for share taxi. Not sure of normal bus price. Using this you could normally get to Consulate in time to submit visa application rather than arriving in the afternoon by train.

[ovenman]

Ovenman - is there any info on the timetables to suggest if a change over in had yai is necessary and when that may be - i just wonder if this could be a source - if the answer is no thats ok as it has been answered many times here all ready...

No, there is nothing in the new timetables that suggests an impending change in the International Express service. I was just surprised to see them listing any of the Malaysian trains as I have never seen the SRT do that in the past, not even for the Malaysian-run Langkawi Ekspres that departs from Hat Yai.

[Khun Bob]

Well - got to butterworth ok - now in starbucks with free wifi....

talked to the information face to face, advanced booking office and staff on the train down to malaysia and all said there would be no change - the train will keep on running as it has for the forseeable future.

I dont understand why they should change the running as it was brimming today and i was lucky yo get the last berth available for the return journey...

Still - who knows... SRT seems to have a different story each day - but it is not the same person i spoke to on each occaision.

But have to add that a lower berth from bkk to padang besar is now 960 baht and upper is 870 baht - these prices are an increase of around 100 baht from last time i went in february. If you go all the way to butterworth and buy the ticket in thailand it will be about 200baht more than the prices i have mentioned to PB.

Also today there was a thai immigration officer looking for overstayers before getting to the thai immigration booths in PB station.

Also like to add that the restaurant upstairs in PB station is excellent value - had three fried yellow thngs (quite nice) with spicy peanut sauce for 30sen (.3 ringitt) - that is about 1 baht a peice. If they have curry puffs - they are delicious and good value too - unfortuneately didnt have any today ;-)