Malaysia plans Kuala Lumpur-Bangkok cargo rail link

By Reuters May 5, 2025 | 04:51 pm PT

Trains sit idle on tracks in Thailand. Photo by pr.railway Facebook page

Malaysia is planning to start a direct rail cargo service between its capital Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, Thailand, in 2025 to boost bilateral and regional trade, state media reported, citing its Transport Minister.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the Cabinet and Prime Minister had approved the proposal and the rail service is expected to begin operations later in 2025, state news agency Bernama reported on May 4.

"A direct Kuala Lumpur-Bangkok rail link will also improve connectivity to other countries, including Laos, China and Central Asia," Loke said.

The report did not go into detail about the plan. A spokesperson for Thailand's Transport Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Malaysia said in 2024 that it would consider extending a US$10 billion (S$13 billion) China-led rail project to its border with Thailand. That 665 km line is due for completion by the end of 2026 and will link Malaysia's east and west coasts.

China is the largest trading partner of Malaysia and Thailand. U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs of 145% on China, while Malaysia and Thailand face U.S. import levies of 24% and 36%, respectively.

Loke, who visited Bangkok last week and met his Thai counterpart, announced earlier that Malaysia and Thailand aimed to revive direct rail services for passengers traveling between Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok to bolster cross-border tourism.

The service would make use of the existing track, and Malaysia and Thailand's railway operators have been given three months to make the preparations, he said.