Richard Barrow’s Asian Train Guide

09/04/2026

🚆🇯🇵 Thailand Meets Japan: KiHa 40 Launching Soon!

A little piece of rural Japan is coming to Thailand’s rails. From 20 April 2026, the iconic KiHa 40/48 diesel trains will begin commuter services between Bangkok and Ayutthaya—marking the first step toward extending Bangkok’s suburban network beyond Rangsit.

Here’s what we know so far 👇

⏱️ Journey time: ~1 hr
💸 Fare: Around 30–50 baht
🗓️ Trial period: Weekdays until 31 October 2026
🚉 6 trains daily (3 each way)

📍 Stops include Don Mueang, Rangsit, Thammasat University, and Bang Pa-in

🌏 This isn’t just a new train—it’s a living piece of Japanese railway history running to Ayutthaya.

👉 Not the fastest option—but cheap, comfortable, and one of the most interesting rail experiences in Southeast Asia right now.

⏰ Full timetables: https://www.thaitracks.com/kiha40-bangkok-ayutthaya.html

#キハ40 #キハ48

25/03/2026

The diesel railcar on the left and the train on the right. Both decommissioned Japanese trains that are seeing a second lease of life here in . You can view both at Hua Lamphong on 26 March 2026.

#キハ40 #キハ48

07/03/2026

🇲🇾🇹🇭 Explore Hat Yai by Train This Songkran Season

Travelers looking for a festive getaway can start planning their trip to southern Thailand as ticket sales for the MySawasdee Train between Kuala Lumpur and Hat Yai open soon.

Passengers can enjoy the lively atmosphere of Songkran celebrations, sample famous Hat Yai street food, and explore the city’s bustling shopping spots that attract visitors from across the region.

Tickets for the MySawasdee charter train from KL Sentral to Hat Yai, and the return journey, for travel during April and May 2026 will go on sale on 8 March 2026 (Sunday) at 10:00 AM.

Fares start from RM95 one-way, making it an affordable and convenient way to travel between Malaysia and southern Thailand.

Travel Dates (Round Trip Schedule):

• 10 April 2026 – KL Sentral → Hat Yai
• 13 April 2026 – Hat Yai → KL Sentral
• 15 May 2026 – KL Sentral → Hat Yai
• 18 May 2026 – Hat Yai → KL Sentral

Travelers are encouraged to plan their Hat Yai holiday early and secure their seats through the following channels:

• Online booking: https://bit.ly/47J3W1w
• KITS Style mobile application
• KTMB ticket kiosks

For further enquiries:
📞 +603-2279 8712 (Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
📧 [email protected]

A cross-border rail journey offers a relaxed way to reach one of southern Thailand’s most popular destinations—perfect for experiencing the vibrant Songkran season and the city’s renowned food and shopping scene. 🚆🌊🍜

27/02/2026

🚉 🇲🇾🇹🇭 Tickets Open Soon for MySawasdee Train 2026: KL Sentral to Hat Yai from RM95

Travelers planning a rail adventure between Malaysia and southern Thailand can now mark their calendars. Tickets for the MySawasdee Train service between KL Sentral and Hat Yai for April and May 2026 journeys will officially go on sale on 8 March 2026 at 10:00 AM (Malaysia time).

Operated by KTM Berhad’s Charter Train division, the MySawasdee service offers a convenient direct journey to Hat Yai, with one-way fares starting from just RM95.

🗓️ 2026 Travel Schedule Highlights

The 2026 departures include multiple long-weekend friendly dates throughout the year:

• April: 10–13 April 2026
• May: 15–18 May 2026
• August: 21–24 August 2026
• September: 25–28 September 2026
• October: 23–26 October & 30 October–2 November 2026
• November: 13–16, 20–23 & 26–29 November 2026
• December: 11–14, 17–20 & 31 December 2026–3 January 2027

🎟️ Ticket Prices (One Way)
• Seat: RM95
• Upper Berth: RM109
• Lower Berth: RM119

Journey Time
• From KL Sentral (Malaysia time):
Depart 10:30 PM → Arrive Hat Yai 8:50 AM (Thailand time)
• From Hat Yai (Thailand time):
Depart 10:20 AM → Arrive KL Sentral 11:15 PM (Malaysia time)

Stops Along the Route

The train calls at: KL Sentral → Sungai Buloh → Ipoh → Taiping → Padang Besar → Hat Yai

Passengers can book tickets via the KITS Style app, at KTMB ticket kiosks, or online through KTMB’s official booking platform.

For further inquiries:
📞 +603-2279 8712 (Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM)
📧 [email protected]

With affordable fares and overnight convenience, the MySawasdee Train continues to offer one of the easiest rail connections between Malaysia and southern Thailand. If Hat Yai is on your 2026 travel list, now’s the time to start planning.

26/02/2026

🇲🇾 ETS & KTM Intercity Tickets for June 2026 Go on Sale 28 February

Travelers planning rail journeys across Malaysia this June can now mark their calendars. KTM Berhad has announced that tickets for ETS (Electric Train Service) and KTM Intercity services for travel in June 2026 will go on sale at 12:00 noon on 28 February 2026.

With Malaysia gearing up for Visit Malaysia 2026, June is expected to be a busy month on the rails. Two public holidays fall during this period: 1 June 2026 and 17 June 2026.

These dates are likely to see higher passenger demand, particularly on popular ETS routes such as Kuala Lumpur–Penang, Kuala Lumpur–Ipoh, and Kuala Lumpur–Padang Besar, as well as long-distance KTM Intercity services to the East Coast and southern Malaysia.

🎟️ How to Buy Tickets

Passengers can purchase tickets through:

• The KITS Style mobile application
• KTMB’s official website: www.ktmb.com.my
• KTMB ticket counters and authorised sales channels

Booking early is strongly recommended, especially for weekend departures and travel around public holidays.

📌 Travel Tip

If you’re connecting from Thailand, ETS services from Padang Besar offer smooth onward journeys into Malaysia’s major cities. It’s one of the easiest cross-border rail experiences in Southeast Asia.

Plan ahead, secure your seats early, and enjoy a comfortable journey exploring Malaysia by train this June. 🚆

19/02/2026

🇨🇳 Construction of the Dali–Ruili Railway in Yunnan, widely described as the world’s toughest railway project, is progressing toward full completion in 2028. The 330-kilometre line, the first to cross the rugged Hengduan Mountains, has faced extreme engineering challenges, including high geothermal heat, heavy groundwater inflows and unstable rock, particularly in the Gaoligong Mountain Tunnel. Once operational, the railway will cut travel time between Kunming and Ruili from about nine hours to 4.5 hours and form part of the China–Myanmar international rail corridor, strengthening links with Southeast and South Asia.

👉 'World's toughest railway project' set for completion in Yunnan by 2028 https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202602/12/WS698d7d3fa310d6866eb38f02.html

Construction of the Baoshan–Ruili section of the Dali–Ruili Railway in Yunnan province has made significant progress, putting the line on track for full operation by 2028, according to Guoshizhitongche, a social media account affiliated with China News Service.

14/02/2026

🇯🇵 With the expansion of the Shinkansen, Japan's night trains all but disappeared. Now, the last remaining sleeper expresses, along with a new night train, are trending once more. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/2049170/

With the expansion of the Shinkansen, Japan's night trains all but disappeared. Now, the last remaining sleeper expresses, along with a new night train, are trending once more. We take a closer look.

13/02/2026

🚆🇹🇭🇱🇦 Recently I took the train from Bangkok to Luang Prabang Via Vientiane and back. Here are my reviews of each step of the trip.

📍Bangkok > Nong Khai > Vientiane: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GwCbmuBKU/?mibextid=wwXIfr

📍 Vientiane > Luang Prabang: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DKD8TixRj/?mibextid=wwXIfr

📍Luang Prabang > Vientiane: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DQoug4kv9/?mibextid=wwXIfr

📍Vientiane > Bangkok: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Aq3wMKh1m/?mibextid=wwXIfr

13/02/2026

🇱🇦 Some recent photos showing what it is like at Luang Prabang (Laos-China) Station. There are quite a few shops selling drinks and snacks. There’s also free hot water. If you have a Business Class ticket, head to the VIP lounge in the far right corner. You also get priority boarding.

When you arrive here, there are vans that will take you into Luang Prabang for 40,000 kip.

09/02/2026

🇯🇵 Pointing and Calling: Japan’s Railway Safety Technique https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-topics/g02575/

Just before trains depart in Japan, conductors point white-gloved hands in the direction of travel and announce that it is safe to start moving. This eye-catching action may seem unusual to foreign visitors, but “pointing and calling” for confirmation is a widely used safety method that reduces ...

09/02/2026

🇹🇭🇱🇦 THAILAND TO LAOS BY TRAIN:

These are your train options for going from Bangkok to Vientiane by train. Rapid No. 133 is the international train that goes between these two capitals. But there are only two sleeper carriages and so it sells out fast. An alternative is to take SRT’s flagship CNR sleeper Special Express No. 25 that departs an hour earlier. Then, after a leisurely breakfast in Nong Khai, switch to No. 133 to cross the border.

Immigration for Thailand is done at Nong Khai Station and for Laos at Vientiane (Khamsavath) Station. You will find a foreign exchange booth there as well as vendors selling SIM cards at Vientiane (Khamsavath) station. There is a public bus to the morning market station that departs at 9:30 a.m. and 10:10 a.m. Ticket is 20,000 kip or 40 baht. From there you can catch the 11:20 a.m. bus to the Laos-China Station or use the LOCA app to book a taxi. Bus is 25,000 kip and taxi is about 200,000 kip.

I will be posting a full review of all of these trains soon. But in the meantime, if you have any questions, feel free to post them in the comments below.

07/02/2026

🇱🇦 Photos taken today showing the atmosphere at Vientiane Railway Station (Laos-China Highspeed Train). To enter the station, you have to first show your passport and ticket. Then go through security where your bags are x-rayed. Then you are in the large waiting area. If you have Business Class tickets, then you can wait in VIP lounger where there are more comfortable seats, tea, coffee and water, and private toilets. There are a number of shops scattered around the large waiting area but don’t expect too much. Best to bring your own food. However, there is free hot and cold water available both at the station and on the train. Boarding takes place around 20 minutes before departure. To go through the ticket turnstile, they will scan the QR code on your physical ticket or e-ticket.