{{Multiple issues| {{Expand language|langcode=th}} {{More citations needed|date=November 2018}} {{Update|date=January 2023}} }} {{italic title}} {{Infobox rail service | box_width = 300px | name = ''International Express'' | color = | logo = | logo_width = | image = File:Hua Lamphong Train Station - Bangkok to Butterworth train.JPG | image_width = 300px | alt = | caption = Platform at [[Hua Lamphong]] Station for the Bangkok to Butterworth train | type = [[Inter-city rail]] | status = Operational<br/>Ceased (Padang Besar–Butterworth) | locale = [[Thailand]]–[[Malaysia]] | predecessor = | first = {{Start date and age|1922|1|2|df=y}} | last = | successor = | operator = | formeroperator = | ridership = | ridership2 = | website = | start = [[Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal|Krung Thep Aphiwat]], [[Bangkok]], [[Thailand]] | stops = | end = [[Padang Besar railway station|Padang Besar]], [[Malaysia]] | distance = | journeytime = | frequency = | trainnumber = | line_used = | class = | access = | seating = | sleeping = | autorack = | catering = | observation = | entertainment = | baggage = | otherfacilities = | stock = | gauge = {{Track gauge|1000mm|allk=on|engvar=en-US}} | el = | speed = | trainlength = | owners = | routenumber = | maintenance = | sharing = | map = | map_state = | module = }}
The '''''International Express''''' ({{langx|th|รถด่วนพิเศษระหว่างประเทศ}}; {{langx|ms|Ekspres Antarbangsa}}) is an express [[train]] between [[Bangkok]], [[Thailand]] and [[Padang Besar, Malaysia|Padang Besar]], [[Malaysia]]. The train formerly traveled to [[Butterworth, Penang]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://railtravelstation.com/state-railway-of-thailand/southern-line/international-express/ | title=SRT International Express 45/46 • รถด่วนพิเศษระหว่างประเทศ • Padang Besar Malaysia to Hua Hin and Bangkok Train Tickets, Train Schedule & Online Booking • Jadual & Tambang Tren Padang Besar Malaysia ke Hua Hin dan Bangkok Baru & Tempahan Tiket Online • Padang Besar, Hat Yai, Surat Thani, Hua Hin, Nakhon Pathom, Bangkok • RailTravel Station | date=20 March 2017 }}</ref>
This train's [[Passenger car (rail)|passenger car]]s include 2nd-class air conditioned [[sleeping car|sleepers]], and an air conditioned [[dining car]]. Diesel electric locomotives such as HID (Hitachi - 2500 HP) and GEA (General Electric - 2500 HP) are used to Haul this express between Padang Besar and Hat Yai.
==History== The original name of this train was ''Southern Express''. It was introduced on 2 January 1922 with sleeping cars, double-headed by two E-class locomotives, and ran every Monday (increased to twice a week, Wednesday and Saturday, by 1930) from [[Bangkok Noi railway station]] (now [[Thon Buri railway station]]). The terminus has changed from Bangkok Noi to Bangkok after the opening of Rama VI Bridge on 1 January 1927. It was a reduced Wednesday-only service from 1940 to 1945.
The service was temporarily suspended from 15 March 1950 to 2 January 1954 due to war damage on the Southern line by bombs from Allied Forces during WWII as well as the insurgencies in [[southern Thailand]] and northern [[British Malaya|Malaya]]. The destruction of the Rama VI Bridge had compelled [[State Railway of Thailand]] (SRT) (replaced Royal State Railways (RSR) from 16 August 1939 to 1945) to use Thon Buri (Bangkok Noi) as the terminal for the ''International Express'' and the ''Hat Yai Express'' from 2 January 1944.
The ''Hat Yai Express'' (Bangkok - [[Hat Yai]]) was substituted during the reduction of international service as well as during the suspension of international services even though it was introduced on 3 April 1939 (every Friday) to meet increasing demand from those who lived in southern provinces. The ''Hat Yai Express'' was extended to [[Su-ngai Kolok]] in January 1942. It was back to Hat Yai after 1945.
The international service was resumed on the old schedule on 2 January 1954 after concluding a cross border treaty between SRT and the [[Federated Malay States Railways]] (FMSR).
[[File:The true cars from Bangkok to Butterworth Malaysia (12353347924).jpg|thumb|Customs checkpoint, Padang Besar Station]]
Once there were enough diesel locomotives, the ''International Express'' ran daily. From 1966 to 1978 the service ran three times a week between Bangkok and Prai via Padang Besar (extended to Butterworth in 1967), and four times a week between Bangkok and Tumpat via Sungai Golok. After 1978, the ''International Express'' ran between Bangkok and Butterworth via Padang Besar only, with the service to Tumpat being truncated to Su-ngai Kolok and rebranded the ''[[Thaksin Express]]''.
==Timetable== Since 2016, following the opening of the [[KTM ETS|Electric Train Service]] on the Malaysian side, the ''International Express'' is truncated at [[Padang Besar railway station]] on the [[Malaysia–Thailand border]]; Thai trains no longer travel to Butterworth since then. Passengers are hence required to switch from the Thai diesel trains to the [[Keretapi Tanah Melayu|Malayan Railways]] electric trains, and vice versa at Padang Besar station.
In general trains depart Bangkok (Southbound Train 45) and Padang Besar (Northbound Train 46) daily. The journey takes roughly 18 hours. Between Bangkok and Hat Yai, the train is coupled with ''[[Thaksin Express]]'' (No. 37 southbound, No. 38 return) - 15 minutes are allocated to couple/decouple the train services at Hat Yai.<ref>{{cite web |title=Timetable and Fares |url=http://www.railway.co.th/checktime/checktime.asp?lenguage=Eng |website=State Railway of Thailand (SRT) |access-date=17 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028132132/http://www.railway.co.th/checktime/checktime.asp?lenguage=Eng |archive-date=28 October 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==Route== [[File:Butterworth Train Station - Bangkok to Butterworth train.jpg|upright|thumb|Bangkok to Butterworth train, Butterworth Train Station]]
The train passes cities and towns along the eastern gulf coast of southern Thailand on the upper [[Malay Peninsula]]. These include [[Nakhon Pathom]], [[Hua Hin]], [[Surat Thani]], [[Hat Yai]]. The train crosses the Thai-Malaysian border and stop at Padang Besar.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20160409035053/http://www.railway.co.th/Ticket/TrainStopStation_Time_All.asp?IdTrain=35&Leg=en Schedule for International Special Express 35] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20160409035103/http://www.railway.co.th/Ticket/TrainStopStation_Time_All.asp?IdTrain=36&Leg=en Schedule for International Special Express 36] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20151007043137/http://www.ktmintercity.com.my/index.php/jadual/item/download/84_0ceeacb01747919be1d8874fe457a97e KTMB Schedule for North & South Line, includes International Express 35 and 36]
{{State Railway of Thailand}} {{Rail transport in Thailand}} {{Rail transport in Malaysia}}
[[Category:International named passenger trains]] [[Category:Passenger rail transport in Malaysia]] [[Category:Night trains]]