Butterworth-Bangkok train services disrupted

If you have bought train tickets to or from Bangkok, this information is for you.

The Star reported that

The train services from Butterworth to Bangkok and vice-versa have been temporarily disrupted, following a strike by railway workers in Thailand.

KTMB Butterworth station master Ahmad Yusof Salim said the daily International Express which usually departed Butterworth at 2.20pm, had been suspended indefinitely since Monday.

The services of the Express Senandung Langkawi from Kuala Lumpur to Haadyai that leaves Butterworth at 5.19am daily will only go up to Padang Besar for the time being.

Those returning to Malaysia from Thailand are advised to find their way to Padang Besar to board this train back to Butterworth, he said in an interview Tuesday.

On Monday, international news agencies reported that thousands of travellers were stranded after Thailands railway workers went on strike, halting travel and cargo services nationwide.

They were said to have protested against government plans to restructure the heavily indebted, loss-making railway authority.

Ahmad Yusof said KTMB would wait for further notice from the State Railways of Thailand (SRT) before resuming operations of the International Express train.

He, however, noted that the monthly Eastern & Oriental Express (E&O) train services was not affected, as there were no schedules for it this month.

The next E&O train en route Singapore-Kuala Lumpur-Butterworth-Bangkok was scheduled for July 11, he said.

Ahmad Yusof said those who had bought tickets to board the particular trains that were suspended were being given full refunds since Monday.

For details, contact KTMB at 03-22671200 or 04-3237962/ 3312796.