Train Review: SRT Padang Besar-Hat Yai Shuttle Train Express 948 from Padang Besar Malaysia to Hat Yai Junction by Train

Hat Yai, Malaysia, Padang Besar, RailTravel Guides, State Railway of Thailand, Thailand, Train Reviews, Trip Reports One comment

SRT Padang Besar-Hat Yai Shuttle Train Express 948 from Padang Besar Malaysia to Hat Yai Junction

The SRT Hat Yai-Padang Besar Shuttle Train is a popular mode of transport to travel from the Malaysia-Thailand border at Padang Besar to Hat Yai for its low fares and minimal walking needed during immigration when transferring from KTM ETS or KTM Komuter Northern Sector trains. For this trip from Singapore to Bangkok for under S$50, the SRT Hat Yai-Padang Besar Shuttle Train fit the bill for the low fare needed, and the transfer points both in Padang Besar Railway Station and Hat Yai Junction Railway Station requires no additional transfers needed to connect between my main legs of transport.

Singapore to Bangkok for under S$50!

Padang Besar Railway Station

I arrived at Padang Besar Railway Station at 8.16am by the KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2944up from Butterworth.

State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Ticket Counter

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) ticket counter at Padang Besar Railway Station, however, only opens at 9.00am Malaysia time. I had about 40 minutes to wait for the counter to open. Tickets are only sold on the spot at the ticket counter.

VIP Van to Hat Yai

At the concourse of Padang Besar Railway Station, there is also a booth by Pens Leisure selling tickets for a VIP van to Hat Yai for RM30 per passenger. There is no schedule, the van departs when full, and drops off directly at hotels or points of interests in Hat Yai city area. The benefit of this van service is a direct transfer from Padang Besar Railway Station to your Hat Yai hotel, through immigration by road, but at a higher cost of RM30 per passenger, which did not fit my budget for this trip.

Thailand SIM Card

There are also Thailand SIM cards sold at Ah Chai SIM Card at a price of RM28 each.

The façade of Padang Besar Railway Station from the driveway.

At 9.03am, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) ticket counter at Padang Besar Railway Station finally opened.

Ticket purchase is easy as tickets are mainly sold for the next departing SRT Hat Yai-Padang Besar Shuttle Train only, unless you want to pre-purchase tickets for other long-distance trains in Thailand.

The ticket counter staff will request for your passport to key some details in, and will return it with your ticket and the TM 6 Immigration Form (Thailand Arrival and Departure Card) if you require it.

The timetable and fares of the SRT Hat Yai-Padang Besar Shuttle Train are displayed at the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) ticket counter at Padang Besar Railway Station.

My ticket for the SRT Hat Yai-Padang Besar Shuttle Train Express 948 from Padang Besar Railway Station to Hat Yai Junction Railway Station departing at 9.55am Malaysia time (GMT+8). The time printed on the ticket are all in Thai time which is 1 hour behind (GMT+7)

However, I knew the Express 948 train will not be on time, judging by the crowds at Padang Besar Railway Station. The delay history of the SRT Hat Yai-Padang Besar Shuttle Train Express 948 can be tracked on the Train Tracking System (TTS).

Departure Gate A to Thailand

The SRT Hat Yai-Padang Besar Shuttle Train uses Gate A at Padang Besar Railway Station for departure to Thailand.

The waiting area got full quite quickly with passengers going to Thailand. Unlimited tickets are sold for the SRT Hat Yai-Padang Besar Shuttle Train, and ticket sales close only before train departure or when everyone in the queue has bought their tickets, whichever is later.

The gate to immigration was only opened at 10.07am – 12 minutes after scheduled departure time, just as I had expected. The arriving Express 947 train arrived at 8.25am, and all arriving passengers must clear Thailand and Malaysia immigration before boarding of my Express 948 train can commence. With the high demand of the SRT Hat Yai-Padang Besar Shuttle Train, I already knew that the 30-minute turnaround time at Padang Besar Railway Station was impossible.

Malaysia Immigration

First up is Malaysia immigration to exit from Malaysia.

Thailand Immigration

Thailand immigration immediately follows after Malaysia immigration. The full immigration procedures are completed together in Padang Besar Railway Station for both Malaysia and Thailand immediately after each other before boarding the train.

SRT Hat Yai-Padang Besar Shuttle Train Express 948

Alsthom AHK 4229 leads my SRT Hat Yai-Padang Besar Shuttle Train Express 948 from Padang Besar Railway Station to Hat Yai Junction Railway Station.

My SRT Hat Yai-Padang Besar Shuttle Train Express 948 was formed of 4 Bogie Third Class Carriages (BTC76).

The destination and coach sign of the SRT Hat Yai-Padang Besar Shuttle Train.

The SRT Hat Yai-Padang Besar Shuttle Train shares the same line at Platform 2, but are separated by moveable fences and platform stopping areas.

The newly-added high platform plates for Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal and other Red Line stations access are in use at Padang Besar Railway Station to cater to the high platforms here.

The interior of the Bogie Third Class Carriage (BTC76).

Seats are laid out in a 2+2 configuration in facing bays of 4 seats.

The legroom on board the Bogie Third Class Carriage (BTC76).

Both sitting and squatting toilets are available on board this refurbished Bogie Third Class Carriage (BTC76).

A wash basin area is also available on the other end of the coach.

With the delay of my SRT Hat Yai-Padang Besar Shuttle Train Express 948, there was no rush as the incoming SRT International Express 45 from Bangkok Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal had to arrive first to clear the track.

There is also an additional BTC76 coach attached on the SRT International Express 45 on the sector between Hat Yai and Padang Besar to cater for short-distance passengers with a lower fare at 50 Baht, as compared to the old fare of only 272 Baht if travelling on board the ANS40 coach. The 272 Baht option remains available if you would like to travel in air-conditioned comfort.

The train crew holding the token is a good sign that my SRT Hat Yai-Padang Besar Shuttle Train Express 948 was departing very shortly.

My SRT Hat Yai-Padang Besar Shuttle Train Express 948 departed from Padang Besar Railway Station at 11.05am – 1 hour and 10 minutes delayed.

Crossing into Thailand from the border just after the platforms.

Padang Besar (Thai) Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Padang Besar (Thai) Railway Station.

Tickets are checked by the conductor after departure from Padang Besar (Thai) Railway Station.

Heading along the first rural views of Thailand.

It was not too crowded in my front Car 4, I think most passengers decided to just take the nearest seat from immigration at the rear of the train.

Khlong Ngae Railway Station

Making a brief stop at Khlong Ngae Railway Station.

Crossing the railway crossing after Khlong Ngae Railway Station.

Approaching the junction with the Sungai Golok Line at Hat Yai Junction Railway Station.

Arriving at Hat Yai Junction Railway Station.

Hat Yai Junction Railway Station

My SRT Hat Yai-Padang Besar Shuttle Train Express 948 arrived at Hat Yai Junction Railway Station at 10.46am – 56 minutes delayed.

The locomotive was decoupled very quickly, leaving just the rake of coaches on Platform 5.

The direct crossing to the station building was also fenced off, with arriving SRT Hat Yai-Padang Besar Shuttle Train Express 948 passengers directed to use the crossing on the southern end of the station instead.

Crossing the pedestrian crossing on the southern end of Hat Yai Junction Railway Station.

Heading out the exit on the southern end of Hat Yai Junction Railway Station.

The façade of Hat Yai Junction Railway Station.

Conclusion

The  SRT Hat Yai-Padang Besar Shuttle Train is a cheap and comfortable way to travel from Padang Besar to Hat Yai. Do expect train delays though, due to the popularity of the train service. Looking at it positively, it means that everyone who wants a ticket can get a ticket, and everyone with a ticket can go through immigration safely without being left behind.

Singapore to Bangkok for under S$50!

One comment

  1. Pingback: Train Review: KTM Komuter Northern Sector 2944up from Butterworth to Padang Besar by Train • RailTravel Station

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