Thailand and Malaysia’s state railways on Monday launched their jointly operated shuttle service between Hat Yai and the Malaysian town of Padang Besar.
Wuthichart Kalyanamitra, governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), and Malaysian Railways president Sarbini Tijan inaugurated the route at Hat Yai rail station in Songkhla province.
Mr Wuthichart said the new line is aimed at the larger number of Thai and Malay cross-border commuters, as well as international tourists needing transport between the two countries.
He said he expects the shuttle service to support coming Asean Economic Community as well provide easy access to the Malaysian mass-transit line linking Padang Besar and destinations deeper in Malaysia.
The SRT deployed two air-conditioned diesel trains on the route stretching about 60 kilometres across the border and they would operate two round-trips a day. The fare is 80 baht.
Joint immigration facilities are located at the Padang Besar station.