A new international rail service, the ASEAN Express, is set to shake up trade in Southeast Asia, cutting freight delivery time between Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, and China from up to three weeks to just nine days.
The project, hailed as a major step in regional logistics, is expected to boost economic competitiveness across ASEAN, especially for Thailand, which could soon become the region’s rail hub.
The route was highlighted during the 45th ASEAN Railway CEO’s Conference in Kuala Lumpur, where State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Governor Veeris Ammarapala updated Thai ambassador Lada Phumas on progress with the Thailand–Malaysia rail link under the ASEAN Express initiative.
The service currently moves goods from Chongqing, China, through Laos and Thailand, before reaching Malaysia’s Selangor state, significantly improving supply chain efficiency across the region.
Plans are also in motion for a cross-border passenger rail service between Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal in Bangkok and Butterworth station in Penang. This would offer direct travel between the two nations.
Veeris said coordination with Thailand’s Foreign Ministry and embassy in Malaysia will be crucial to removing roadblocks and speeding up cooperation. He stressed that Thailand’s goal is to serve as the logistics heart of ASEAN, strengthening trade, investment, and tourism along the way.
Successful first outing
The new freight line has already been trialled successfully. The first test run launched on June 27, 2025, from Malaysia’s Kelana Jaya freight terminal, arriving in Chongqing on July 11, carrying electronics and agricultural goods. A return trip from China to Malaysia also ran smoothly.
The route links Kelana Jaya’s Kontena Nasional Inland Clearance Depot, Thailand’s Lat Krabang Inland Container Depot, Laos’ Thanaleng Dry Port, and Chongqing in China.
According to Malaysian reports, logistics costs could be cut by up to 30%, making the ASEAN Express a serious alternative to both road and sea transport.
Some Malaysian durian exporters have already jumped on board, with plans to send fresh Musang King durians to China via the new line by the end of 2025, following Beijing’s recent approval of Malaysian durian imports.
Unlike other international routes that struggle with different rail gauges, both Thailand and Malaysia use the same one-metre track gauge. This means containers can reach Padang Besar, on the border, without needing to be transferred.
KTMB, Malaysia’s national railway operator, has announced two services per week between Kelana Jaya and Chongqing, with plans to increase frequency based on demand, reported The Nation.
However, the Thailand–Laos leg faces a challenge: Laos operates on the 1.435-metre standard gauge, requiring containers to be manually transferred at Thanaleng Dry Port, a two-hour process that slows down the otherwise rapid journey.
Besides speed, the ASEAN Express is also seen as a greener and more cost-effective option than road transport. Experts say the project could pave the way for sustainable regional rail corridors, boosting Malaysia and Thailand’s roles in ASEAN trade.
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