What would Southeast Asia look like if it had a fully functioning railway network? I have thought about this many times, usually while on a bus ride from hell (Huay Xai to Luang Prabang springs to mind). I envision it to be a cross between China’s high-speed rail network and Europe’s international InterCity services. With […]
Kuala Lumpur to Butterworth (Penang) with the ETS – the fastest train in Southeast Asia
In 2015 the electrification of the train line between Kuala Lumpur and Butterworth was completed. On this modernised track the ETS (Electric Train Service) reaches a speed of 160kmh. The ETS is the fastest intercity train in Southeast Asia, and is tied at equal first with two airport trains (Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur). The Bangkok […]
Riding the Bamboo Railway in Battambang – Cambodia
The bamboo railway is a makeshift railway in Cambodia that uses the old single line that runs between Battambang and Phnom Penh. In what was initially a way for goods to be transported has now become a fully-fledged tourist trap attraction. At the time of my visit I only saw foreign passengers on board and […]
Maeklong market railway, Thailand – The train that goes through a market
One of the more interesting train journeys in Southeast Asia I’ve had is riding through the Maeklong market railway in Thailand. Even if you’ve never heard of the town, you’ve probably seen a youtube video of a train going through a tightly-packed market, where market stalls are set up on the rails. The train barely […]
