Direct Bangkok–Kuala Lumpur train to relaunch by late 2025

Fans of scenic train journeys can soon start packing their bags: a direct train between the capitals of Thailand and Malaysia is expected to resume service as early as 2025.

The project will bring back a convenient and scenic route, offering a greener alternative to flying and connecting two of Southeast Asia's most vibrant metropolises. The decision to resume the service came after a meeting between Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook and Thailand's Transport Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit, held in Bangkok earlier this month.

According to Minister Loke Siew Fook, the national rail operators — Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) — have been given three months to prepare for launching the Kuala Lumpur–Bangkok route.

Trains will run between Bangkok, Padang Besar, Butterworth, and Kuala Lumpur. While some older sections of track will need repairs, no new rail construction is planned, which simplifies and lowers the cost of the project. Key aspects of the launch will include joint marketing campaigns, coordinated operations, and a unified ticketing system between Malaysia and Thailand. While exact journey times and ticket prices have not yet been announced, officials have promised that trips will become more convenient and spare passengers the need for multiple transfers.

Thai authorities have also proposed considering an extension of the route from Su-ngai Kolok to Rantau Panjang and Pasir Mas in Malaysia, further strengthening transport integration between the two countries. These plans are in line with broader rail development trends in Thailand, where the high-speed Bangkok–Nong Khai line is due to be completed by 2030, with a possible extension through Laos and integration into China's Belt and Road Initiative.

A new transport route: convenient, scenic, and green

Travellers can look forward to an unforgettable journey through picturesque countryside, small towns, and coastal villages. It will be a great option for those who prefer calmer, greener ways to travel between the two capitals.

Reviving the rail route will strengthen not only tourism ties but also bilateral relations between Malaysia and Thailand, simplify cross-border trade, and improve transport mobility and accessibility in the region. The new transport corridor will support economic growth and cultural exchange across Southeast Asia.