Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) have agreed to reinstate the Bangkok–Butterworth train service, which has been suspended since December 2016. The decision was reached during the 43rd SRT–KTMB Joint Conference, held in Thailand from 4 to 7 August 2025.
The conference was attended by SRT Governor Veeris Ammarapala, head of the Thai delegation; KTMB Chief Operating Officer and head of the Malaysian delegation, Afzar Zakariya; and Secretary for Land Transport at Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport, Dato’ Mohamed Irwan Mansor. The discussion on resuming the cross-border service stemmed from a bilateral meeting themed “Railnaissance” between the Malaysian and Thai transport ministries on 2 May in Bangkok.
During the conference, all parties agreed to enhance several key aspects of the service, including advancing double-tracking projects, implementing integrated ticketing systems, coordinating cross-border rolling stock inspections and certifications, and establishing unified emergency standard operating procedures. They also agreed to work on jointly promoting rail tourism and marketing initiatives through this train service.
On the other hand, following the bilateral meeting, Malaysia’s Transport Minister, Anthony Loke, revealed that Thai authorities had proposed extending rail services from Sungai Golok, at the Kelantan–Thailand border, to Rantau Panjang and Pasir Mas. He noted that this extension could stimulate local economies and enhance livelihoods in the border region. Loke also stated that Malaysia and Thailand plan to revive the direct train service between Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok within this year.
Previously known the Bangkok–Butterworth International Express 35/36, it was once a very popular train service, providing passengers with a scenic and convenient link between Thailand and Malaysia. However, the service was discontinued following the completion of the Ipoh–Padang Besar Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) in Malaysia and the introduction of the CNR Thaksinarath service in Thailand. As a result, travellers were required to transfer to the local KTM Komuter Northern Sector at the border, making cross-border travel more cumbersome and less seamless.
(Source: The Nation, RailTravel Station, Paultan.org)
