Kuala Lumpur–Bangkok Train Resumes in 2025: What Muslim Travellers Need to Know

After years off the rails, one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting cross-border train journeys is making a highly anticipated comeback — the direct train service between Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok is officially being revived in 2025!

For Muslim travellers looking for a scenic, budget-friendly, and culturally immersive adventure, this is fantastic news. Soon, you’ll be able to hop on a train in Kuala Lumpur and travel straight to Bangkok, with halal food stops, prayer facilities, and charming towns along the way.

Also read: Bangkok's Chatuchak Weekend Market Guide 2025: Best Tips, Halal Food & Shopping Hacks

Back on track without laying new tracks

Malaysia’s Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook and Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit made the announcement after meeting at Bangkok’s impressive Bang Sue Central Terminal on May 2, 2025.

The best part? No new rail infrastructure is needed. The service will use the existing train route via Padang Besar and Butterworth, making it faster to relaunch. Both Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM) and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) have been given three months to prepare the groundwork — including coordination, joint ticketing, and promotional strategies.

This means travellers could be booking their cross-border train seats as early as the second half of 2025.

Why Muslim travellers should be excited

Image credit: martinkay78 | Canva Pro

This revived service isn't just about easier travel — it's about making slow, soulful journeys accessible again, especially for Muslim travellers seeking halal-friendly stops and prayer-friendly routes.

Here’s what makes this route particularly Muslim-friendly:

• Butterworth/Penang: A great place to start your journey with halal nasi kandar, historic mosques, and vibrant cultural scenes.

• Padang Besar: This border town offers halal food stalls and mosques, perfect for a pit stop before heading into Thailand.

• Hat Yai: Home to a significant Muslim population, Hat Yai has many halal eateries and masjids, making it a comfortable layover.

• Bangkok: While it's known for its hustle and bustle, Bangkok also has a growing number of halal restaurants, Muslim-friendly hotels, and even prayer spaces in major malls like MBK and Terminal 21.

Plus, train travel gives you flexibility to explore smaller towns, stop for Friday prayers, or enjoy a more leisurely pace of travel compared to flying.

Bonus: Border rail boost between Kelantan and Thailand

As a bonus to this train revival, Thailand has also proposed restoring the railway link between Sungai Golok (Thailand) and Rantau Panjang/Pasir Mas (Kelantan). Minister Loke welcomed the idea, although he emphasised that it would require significant track restoration in Malaysia’s northeast.

If this plan materialises, it would bring even more life to Muslim-majority border towns, opening up new routes for locals and tourists alike. It also means improved economic opportunities for communities that have long relied on cross-border trade and travel.

Looking ahead: A new era of cross-border travel

Image credit: KTMB | Official Website

This KL-Bangkok direct train revival promises to be more than just a nostalgic return — it's shaping up to be a convenient, enriching, and Muslim-friendly way to explore both Malaysia and Thailand.

Imagine catching the sunrise from your train window, making du’a as the train rolls through misty paddy fields, stopping for delicious halal meals in charming towns, and ending your trip with a street food tour in Bangkok. This is the kind of journey that blends spiritual comfort, cultural curiosity, and adventure.

Also read: Bangkok to China by Train? This High-Speed Rail Will Change Travel by 2030—Here’s What You Need to Know!

Coming soon: A Muslim-friendly itinerary for the KL–Bangkok train journey

Stay tuned! Once schedules and ticketing details are confirmed, we’ll be putting together a step-by-step Muslim-friendly train travel guide, complete with halal food stops, nearby mosques, and local gems along the way.

Ready to ride? Let Southeast Asia’s railways take you on your next unforgettable journey.