These two ‘vibrant' cities 914 miles apart will soon be connected by train
Wanting to live your White Lotus fantasy? Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok – the capital cities of Malaysia and Thailand – will soon be connected by train.
The service will be introduced by the end of 2025, building on the existing railway infrastructure that once operated between the two cities and destinations including Padang Besar and Butterworth.
Malaysia's transport minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook confirmed that the Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM) and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) would be looking at plans over the next few months.
'This doesn't require a new track but does call for coordination, joint marketing, and cooperative ticketing between the two countries,' he told Malaysian publication Bernama.
He added that they'd also looked at extending the line between Sungai Golok, Rantau Panjang and Pasir Mas, noting that the move would hopefully have the potential to boost the economy, particularly in the border regions between Thailand and Malaysia.
At the moment, the longest railway journey in Thailand is the Southern Line. Crossing a whopping 710 miles, it runs all the way from Bangkok to Su-ngai Kolok, and dates back to the 1800s.
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But that pales in comparison to the forthcoming Bangkok-Kuala Lumpur line, considering that the distance between the two is 1,472 kilometres (914 miles).
For perspective: that's longer than the entirety of the UK, which measures 837 miles from John O'Groats at the very top of Scotland to Land's End in Cornwall. Consider us impressed.
This is certainly a landmark moment for transport in Southeast Asia, as the Eastern and Oriental Express, which connected Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, was suspended back in 2020.
For the last five years, passengers wanting to travel between the two exclusively by train have had to change connections umpteen times – a journey which takes more than 24 hours.
Wanting inspiration for things to do once the new line opens? Known for its vibrant, never-sleeping streets, Bangkok – described as 'vibrant' by one particularly enthusiastic Redditor – is inundated with foodie options.
Chinatown is considered the birthplace of street food in the Thai capital, and to this day, it remains the beating heart of the scene, with food tours available through Chef's Tour.
Afterwards, drift along the city's old khlongs (canals) and gaze at floating markets, temples and shrines.
You've also got the option of refreshing with a chilled beer or even a coconut, sold by local businesses in canoes that purposefully paddle out to you. @kelseyinlondon
🇹🇭 10 things to do in Bangkok ⬇️ 🛕1. Wat Samphran – a mesmerising temple featuring a towering dragon sculpture wrapped around its exterior. 🍹2. Tichuca – the famous Avatar-esque rooftop bar that definitely lives up to its hype! 🥞 3. After The Rain Cafe – here you can enjoy a delicious brunch AND take a ride in a row boat on the cafe's canal. 🇨🇳 4. Visit Chinatown – one of the most popular spots in Bangkok is the vibrant & energetic Yaowarat Road. 🛍️ 5. IconSiam – an insanely impressive shopping mall with an indoor floating market. 🍽️ 6. Have dinner at Chao Phraya Terrace at @fsbangkok – a farm to table concept restaurant with amazing riverside views. 🛕 7. Grand Palace – this former royal residence is a magnificent complex showcasing stunning architecture, intricate temples, and centuries of rich history 🛺 8. Ride a tuk tuk – you can't miss whizzing through Bangkok's bustling streets aboard a traditional tuk tuk. 🍜 9. Eat Thai street food at Khao San Road – one of the most famous street food markets in the world. Try popular dishes like moo ping (grilled pork), som tam (papaya salad and khao niao mamuang (mango sticky rice). 🌅10. Enjoy sunset at Eagle Nest Bar – with a front row view of War Arun, the famous temple that sits across the Chao Phraya River from this bar. 🇹🇭 Best things to do in Bangkok Thailand | 10 Best Places to visit in Bangkok | Bangkok Activities | Must do things in Bangkok | Tourist activities in Bangkok | Bangkok must see | sights to see in Bangkok | Top things to do in Bangkok city | Temples in Bangkok Thailand | Top Restaurants in Bangkok Thailand | Things to do in Bangkok 2024 | Bangkok fun activities | Bangkok hidden gems | Best bars in Bangkok #bangkokthailand #bangkokfood #bangkoknightlife #bangkoktravel #bangkokbar #bangkokrestaurants #banfkokrooftop #thailandtravel #thailandinsider #travelthailand #visitthailand ♬ kendrick on an old kanye beat by RAYMOND – RAYMOND
Thinking ahead to Kuala Lumpur, a trip to the Petronas Twin Towers is an essential for any visit. More Trending
The world's tallest twin skyscrapers tower over the city at an impressive 451.9 metres, and between 1996 and 2004, they were actually the world's highest buildings.
Right next door, the KLCC Park has plenty of green space, as well as interactive water features and even a lake.
Once known as the Red Light District, Jalan Alor now houses some of Kuala Lumpur's top eats, serving street food classics including satay, wings, noodles, and the favourite local beverage, sugarcane juice.
Wales' answer to London's Tube has been in the works since 2013 – and more than 10 years on, 2026 looks set to be the year it all comes together.
Costing a whopping £1,000,000,000, the project is set to span 170 kilometres (105.6 miles) worth of track, introducing 36 tram-style trains across Cardiff and the wider South Wales area.
There'll be six core lines connecting the Welsh capital to the likes of Aberdare, Coryton, Merthyr, Tydfil, Rhymney and Treherbert – with all the stops along the way identified by a colour-coded map.
The connections are set to be introduced in stages, but the project has already introduced brand-new trains across sections of the South Wales network, improved accessibility by installing extra lifts and access-for-all bridges, installed bike hoops, and added extra passenger information screens to make it easier for commuters to find their train.
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