Cover image via KTM Berhad (Facebook)
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB) aims to re-launch a regular train service connecting Butterworth, Malaysia, and Hat Yai, Thailand, by the third quarter of this year
After a successful and well-received trial run in December, the service is currently awaiting final confirmation from the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) before its official rollout.
The MySawasdee train offers a scenic journey between the two countries, with stops at key stations, including Bukit Mertajam, Sungai Petani, Alor Star, Arau, Padang Besar, and Hat Yai.
"For now, we will run the service only on long weekends, long breaks or during the school holidays because this is when demand is high," KTMB CEO Datuk Mohd Rani Hisham Samsudin told NST.
Passengers on the Padang Besar platform during the MySawasdee Penang Edition trial run.
Image via KTM Berhad (Facebook)
Looking ahead, KTMB has plans to expand the service beyond Hat Yai, potentially connecting to other significant destinations within SRT's network
Both KTMB and SRT are collaborating on the development of a return ticket system, set for a 2026 launch, aiming to streamline the ticketing process for travellers making round trips.
Additionally, KTMB is set to launch a Super App in the third quarter of this year, which allows passengers to purchase tickets, access real-time train schedules, and manage their travel itineraries.
For Electric Train Service (ETS) passengers, the app will offer enhanced features such as seat selection and the ability to pre-order food for their journey. The app will also incorporate a loyalty programme, allowing frequent travellers to accumulate points with every transaction.
"We are working with merchants on this so that people can accumulate points and redeem them with the merchants," Rani said.
