Thailand reopens train services to border with Cambodia after 45 years
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) on July 1 resumed train services to the border with neighbouring Thailand after a 45-year hiatus, according to the SRT.
At Ban Klong Luk Border Station, Thailand. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)
Bangkok (VNA) – The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) onJuly 1 resumed train services to the border with neighbouring Thailand after a45-year hiatus, according to the SRT.
There will be two return trips a day from Bangkok to BanKlong Luk border station in Aranyaprathet district, the eastern Thai provinceof Sa Kaeo: one will depart in early morning and the other will leave in earlyafternoon, it said in an announcement. The journey takes about five hours.
The railway, which initially ran deep into Cambodia’sBattambang province via Aranyaprathet station, stopped operation on July 1,1974 due to the civil war in Cambodia. It suffered severe damage since then.
The governments of Thailand and Cambodia decided toreinstate the rail links between the two countries in 2014.
In April, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha and hisCambodian counterpart Hun Sen shared a ride cross the border from Ban Klong Lukto the Cambodian city of Poipet on a train donated by Thailand. On thisoccasion, the two leaders co-chaired a ceremony to mark the completion of across-border bridge and the reopening of the rail link.
The Thai PM said the restoration of the rail link will boosttransportation, border trade, business and investment opportunity, while theCambodian PM believed it brings new opportunities for rail services that willhelp contribute to the economic development of the two countries and also toASEAN integration and the development of Greater Mekong sub-region.
Earlier, the Cambodian side resumed train services from thecapital of Phnom Penh to Poipet, about 6km from the Ban Klong Luk station. Thecross-border services will start once the two sides reach an agreement on railtransport regulations.
Most of exports from Thailand to Phnom Pend and other partsof Cambodia go through the Aranyaprathet crossing. Latest statistics showedthat the two-way trade via the crossing surged from 23 billion THB (750 millionUSD) in 2008 to 60 billion THB (1.96 billion USD) last year.-VNA
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At Ban Klong Luk Border Station, Thailand. (Photo: bangkokpost.com) 
