Reviving the Bangkok-Butterworth Train Line: A Leap Forward for Connectivity
Train service between Bangkok and Butterworth set to recommence in July.
Get ready, travel enthusiasts! In the next three months, the Bangkok-Butterworth train line is set to make a comeback, with Thailand and Malaysia reigniting this essential cross-border rail link. This move, hailed as a significant milestone, is part of an ongoing effort to bolster transport links between the two countries.
Suriya Jungrungruangkit, Thailand's Transport Minister, confirmed that the revived service will commence no later than July. He emphasized that this development is a key step in the process of connecting our lands.
In 2016, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) put an end to the express train service from Bangkok to Butterworth, halting the train at Padang Besar, a shared border train station. After extensive discussions between Suriya and his Malaysian counterpart, Anthony Loke, the restored service is now back on the table.
Another proposed train link would connect Sungai Kolok station in Narathiwat province, Thailand, to Tumpat in Malaysia's Kelantan state. KTMB, or Keretapi Tanah Malayu, will be the SRT's partner for this venture.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim are committed to strengthening ties between the two nations, with more cross-border transport options high on their agenda.
Here's a quick look at what you can expect from this resurgent train line:
- Schedule: The revival of the Bangkok-Butterworth train service is slated for July 2025. This comeback promises to restore a vital link that has been missing since 2016, enhancing not only mobility but also economic cooperation between Thailand and Malaysia.
- Developments: The SRT and KTMB are currently finalizing operational details, such as test runs and joint studies. The resumption of service is expected to last six months, followed by potential further improvements.
While we await the completion of this exciting project, there's another proposal on the table: a train link between Sungai Kolok and Tumpat. However, this idea is still in the planning phase. The main hurdle is the non-functional state of long-idled railway lines, particularly in Rantau Panjang and Sungai Golok. The restoration of these lines will take some time, but Thai authorities view this extension as a positive step towards boosting local economies.
Stay tuned for more updates on these transformative transport projects, as Thailand and Malaysia continue to strengthen their bonds and foster cross-border cooperation.
The resumption of the Bangkok-Butterworth train line, scheduled for July 2025, will not only reestablish a crucial transportation link but also promote economic cooperation between Thailand and Malaysia in the realm of finance and industry. Concurrently, efforts are being made to create a train link between Sungai Kolok and Tumpat, with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and Keretapi Tanah Malayu (KTMB) collaborating on this venture. The success of these projects is expected to further strengthen the public-transit sector and the automotive industry in both countries.
