# International Express

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International Express Platform at Hua Lamphong Station for the Bangkok to Butterworth train Overview Service type Inter-city rail Status Operational Ceased (Padang Besar–Butterworth) Locale Thailand–Malaysia First service 2 January 1922; 104 years ago (1922-01-02) Route Termini Krung Thep Aphiwat, Bangkok, Thailand Padang Besar, Malaysia Technical Track gauge 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) meter gauge

The ***International Express*** ([Thai](/source/Thai_language): รถด่วนพิเศษระหว่างประเทศ; [Malay](/source/Malay_language): *Ekspres Antarbangsa*) is an express [train](/source/Train) between [Bangkok](/source/Bangkok), [Thailand](/source/Thailand) and [Padang Besar](/source/Padang_Besar%2C_Malaysia), [Malaysia](/source/Malaysia). The train formerly traveled to [Butterworth, Penang](/source/Butterworth%2C_Penang).[1]

This train's [passenger cars](/source/Passenger_car_(rail)) include 2nd-class air conditioned [sleepers](/source/Sleeping_car), and an air conditioned [dining car](/source/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](/source/Bangkok_Noi_railway_station) (now [Thon Buri railway station](/source/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](/source/Southern_Thailand) and northern [Malaya](/source/British_Malaya). The destruction of the Rama VI Bridge had compelled [State Railway of Thailand](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Federated_Malay_States_Railways) (FMSR).

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](/source/Thaksin_Express)*.

## Timetable

Since 2016, following the opening of the [Electric Train Service](/source/KTM_ETS) on the Malaysian side, the *International Express* is truncated at [Padang Besar railway station](/source/Padang_Besar_railway_station) on the [Malaysia–Thailand border](/source/Malaysia%E2%80%93Thailand_border); Thai trains no longer travel to Butterworth since then. Passengers are hence required to switch from the Thai diesel trains to the [Malayan Railways](/source/Keretapi_Tanah_Melayu) 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](/source/Thaksin_Express)* (No. 37 southbound, No. 38 return) - 15 minutes are allocated to couple/decouple the train services at Hat Yai.[2]

## Route

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](/source/Malay_Peninsula). These include [Nakhon Pathom](/source/Nakhon_Pathom), [Hua Hin](/source/Hua_Hin), [Surat Thani](/source/Surat_Thani), [Hat Yai](/source/Hat_Yai). The train crosses the Thai-Malaysian border and stop at Padang Besar.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["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"](https://railtravelstation.com/state-railway-of-thailand/southern-line/international-express/). 20 March 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Timetable and Fares"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141028132132/http://www.railway.co.th/checktime/checktime.asp?lenguage=Eng). *State Railway of Thailand (SRT)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.railway.co.th/checktime/checktime.asp?lenguage=Eng) on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2018.

## External links

- [Schedule for International Special Express 35](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 36](https://web.archive.org/web/20160409035103/http://www.railway.co.th/Ticket/TrainStopStation_Time_All.asp?IdTrain=36&Leg=en)

- [KTMB Schedule for North & South Line, includes International Express 35 and 36](https://web.archive.org/web/20151007043137/http://www.ktmintercity.com.my/index.php/jadual/item/download/84_0ceeacb01747919be1d8874fe457a97e)

v t e State Railway of Thailand Inter-city rail Northern Line Chiang Mai Main Line Sawankhalok Line Den Chai–Chiang Khong Line Nawanakhon–Mae Sot Line Northeastern Line Ubon Ratchathani Main Line Nong Khai Main Line Lam Narai Branch Line Khao Kradong Line Nong Khai–Vientiane Line Ban Phai–Nakhon Phanom Line Khao Kradong Railway Eastern Line Aranyaprathet Main Line Ban Phlu Ta Luang Main Line Phra Phutthachai Line Makkasan-Maenam Line Khlong Sip Kao–Kaeng Khoi Line Khlong Sip Kao Junction railway station Laem Chabang Port Line Chachoengsao–Sattahip Line Maptaphut Line Aranyaprathet-Poi Pet Line Southern Line Su-ngai Kolok Main Line Thon Buri Line Suphan Buri Line Burma Railway Khiri Rat Nikhom Line Kantang Line Nakhon Si Thammarat Line Padang Besar Line Maeklong Railway Wongwian Yai-Maha Chai Line Ban Laem-Maeklong Line Commuter rail Bangkok Greater Bangkok Commuter rail Lopburi Line Kaeng Khoi Line Prachinburi Line Ratchaburi Line Suphan Buri Line Maeklong Railway Wongwian Yai-Maha Chai Line Siriraj-Salaya Commuter Trains SRT Red Lines SRT Dark Red Line SRT Light Red Line Rapid transit Bangkok Airport Rail Link Trains Current CNR Trains Thaksinarat Express Uttarawithi Express Isan Makkha Express Isan Wattana Express International Express Thaksin Express Eastern & Oriental Express Other trains Former Nakhon Phing Express Stations Stations Rail transport in Thailand

v t e Rail transport in Thailand Rapid transit in Thailand High-speed rail in Thailand Rail transport in Bangkok Major operators Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Bangkok Expressway and Metro (BEM) Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC) Lines Rapid transit lines Commuter and Inter-city lines High-speed lines Lists Rapid transit stations Commuter and Inter-city stations Bridges & viaducts Tunnels Notable trains Eastern & Oriental Express Nakhon Phing Express International Express Thaksin Express Rolling Stock Locomotives & Multiple Units ASR Siemens Desiro Siemens Modular Metro

v t e Rail transport in Malaysia Overview Fares and ticketing Token Touch 'n Go card KTMB Mobile App Komuter Link Mastercard VISA MyDebit Card Statutory authority Land Public Transport Agency (APAD) Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) Malaysia Rapid Transit Corporation (MRT Corp) Major Operators Keretapi Tanah Melayu Rapid Rail Express Rail Link Sabah State Railway Inter-city rail Main Lines Current KTM West Coast Line KTM East Coast Line Western Sabah Railway Line Future MRL East Coast Rail Link Planned HSR Kuala Lumpur–Singapore high-speed rail Trans-Borneo Railway North Eastern Sabah Railway Line Sarawak Railway Line Services KTM ETS KTM Intercity Sabah State Railway International Express Eastern & Oriental Express Commuter rail Suburban Current KTM Komuter Central 1 Batu Caves–Pulau Sebang Line 2 Tanjung Malim–Port Klang Line Northern 1 Ipoh–Butterworth Line 2 Padang Besar–Butterworth Line Southern 1 Kulai–JB Sentral Line 2 Kempas Baru–Pasir Gudang Line Planned Kita Selangor Rail Line Airport Link Current ERL 6 KLIA Ekspres 7 KLIA Transit KTM Komuter 10 KL Sentral–Terminal Skypark Line Metro rail LRT Current Rapid KL 3 Ampang Line 4 Sri Petaling Line 5 Kelana Jaya Line 11 Shah Alam Line Future LRT Mutiara Line Planned LRT Kota Kinabalu Line MRT Current Rapid KL 9 Kajang Line 12 Putrajaya Line Planned 13 Circle Line Monorail Current 8 KL Monorail Melaka Monorail (suspended) Planned 14 Putrajaya Monorail Kota Kinabalu Monorail Border link Current KTM Intercity (Shuttle Tebrau) Future RTS Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System Other rail People mover KLIA Aerotrain Funicular Penang Hill Railway Gondola lift Langkawi Cable Car Genting Skyway Awana Skyway Penang Hill Cable Car Rolling stock & manufacturers Inter-city KTM Class 23 KTM Class 24 KTM Class 25 YDM4 KTM Class 61 DMU KTM Class 91 EMU KTM Class 93 EMU KTM Class 94 EMU Kawasaki diesel locomotives DMU Commuter KTM Class 81 EMU KTM Class 82 EMU KTM Class 83 EMU KTM Class 92 EMU Airport link CNR Changchun ERL "Equator" EMU Siemens Desiro ET 425 M Hyundai Rotem KTM Class 83 EMU LRT CRRC Zhuzhou Articulated LRV "AMY" Bombardier Innovia ART 200/Metro 300 CRRC Zhuzhou LRV MRT Siemens Inspiro "The Guiding Light" Hyundai Rotem EMU Monorail Scomi SUTRA Others Bombardier CX-100 Doppelmayr Garaventa 100-FUL Lugano–Stazione Doppelmayr Garaventa 6-MGD Leitner Ropeways 8-MGD Depots Current KTM Batu Gajah Bukit Mertajam Bukit Tengah Gemas Kempas Baru Klang Padang Besar Port Klang Rawang Sentul Seremban Sabah State Railway Tanjung Aru ERL Salak Tinggi LRT Ampang Kuala Sungai Baru Subang MRT Serdang Sungai Buloh Kajang Monorail Brickfields Aerotrain KLIA MAHB Future Johan Setia (LRT) PSR-A (LRT) Sungai Dua (LRT) Ayer Panas (MRT) Taman Midah (MRT) Related articles 2021 Kelana Jaya LRT collision

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [International Express](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Express) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Express?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.