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Information on specific routes can change quite frequently, so do double-check from official sources before you go. + +Most photos are taken on my old Xperia, so blame Sony if they look really bad :) + + + +<!-- more --> + +The Malay Peninsula has long been a popular destionation for visitors in SE Asia. However, much to the [historical conflicts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Thailand_insurgency) in southern Thailand, most tourists would prefer the [West Coast line](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KTM_West_Coast_railway_line) to get from Malaysia/Singapore upto Thai border. On the other side of peninsula, you'll find rather minimal guide/log/notes on travelling East Coast, hence comes this post, hoping to be helpful to people travelling around these areas. + +## East Coast Main Line + +By calling it "East Coast Main Line" (much analogous to Britain's ECML), what I really mean are the two parts of meter-gauge single-track railway built during the colonial era: Malaysia KTM's [East Coast line (a.k.a. Jungle line)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KTM_East_Coast_railway_line) (Gemas - Tumpat), combined with Thailand SRT's [Southern line](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Line_\(Thailand\)) (Sg. Kolok - Bangkok). This allows an alternative route for (almost) seamless rail travel from Singapore all the way north to Bangkok, and gives you a deeper look into east Muslim areas. + +> Interestingly, Malaysia does have a similar under-construction rail route called [ECRL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MRL_East_Coast_Rail_Link), which will be a standard-gauge double-track system. +> +> And by the way, if you dare to ask, the operating train stock would be China's [CR200J](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_Railway_CR200J) series. Oh no, not again... + +--- + +## Kuala Lumper - Kuala Lipis + +My journey starts from Malay's capital city Kuala Lumpur. To get onto the Jungle line (without turning/circling), nearest station would be Kuala Lipis. + + + +The sole operator on KL-KL (funny acronym though) route is [Pahang Lin Siong](https://www.pahanglinsiong.my/) departing from a rather small bus terminal, Perkeliling. + +<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1991.85290473862!2d101.69520814859914!3d3.1719501525597904!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x31cc49005149a2e1%3A0xb316c03d6cceb6d7!2sPahang%20Lin%20Siong%20Motor%20Co%20Bhd%20Ticket%20Office!5e0!3m2!1szh-CN!2shk!4v1772028525196!5m2!1szh-CN!2shk" width="600" height="450" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe> + + + +I advise to better buy the ticket at kiosk (typically won't sell out anyways) or you need to print the digital order out. Trip takes around 3 hrs. + +## Kuala Lipis - Tumpat + +Kuala Lipis is somewhat a typical small town intersection as what you would expect. A creek, a roundabout, a station, and nothing better than tranquility. + +KTMB runs only 1 express/day on the East Coast Jungle route, which would be locomotive-hauled (and much more comfortable in my opinion). + + + +The only other commuter service is ran by a CRRC-built 4-car [Class 61 DMU](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KTM_Class_61). + + + +And here comes a hilarious moment: Express is actually slower than Shuttle! + + + +Though I'd still suggest getting a sleeping berth on the express train (for the extra space and privacy), and they charge you only RM36 for a 8-hr journey. Enjoy the tropical views as the train shuttles through rainy jungles. + +## Messing around Kota Bharu + +Tumpat, to the end of KTM's EC line, is nowhere near kelantan's capital Kota Bharu region or the border checkpoints. It does have some fairly interesting attractions around (Wat Phikulthong, Wat Machimmaram, etc.), but not very walkable and has no other modes of public transport. + +The newly introduced bus [D21](https://bas.my/route/D21-Kota-Bharu-Pengkalan-Kubor-via-Tumpat.php) gets you to city center for RM2. Hop-on the bus at main station entry, or, if you decide to explore around a little bit, at the nearby bus stop. Google Maps is quite accurate in this case. + +<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d4555.426386838516!2d102.16680549666877!3d6.197607788871501!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x31b6ac0a3f42336d%3A0xd737c15d9f2d9014!2sOpp%20SK%20Seri%20Tumpat%201!5e0!3m2!1szh-CN!2shk!4v1772030549220!5m2!1szh-CN!2shk" width="600" height="450" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe> + +On the other direction, D21 ends at Pengkalan Kubor. If you plan to go across the border through waterways, checkout other guides with keyword "Tak Bai". + +I'm not going into details but KB does have some good places worth a visit. Once you're done, take bus [D32](https://bas.my/route/D32-Kota-Bharu-Rantau-Panjang.php) straight to Rantau Panjang. Trip takes 1.5 hr and costs RM5. + + + +All BAS.MY buses in KB region accept cash and credit cards. + +## Across the Border (Rantau Pajang - Sungai Kolok) + +Get off a stop earlier before bus D32 ends, at the exotic mosque Masjid Beijing. You can find some local food vendors before the border to spend all your Ringgits. + + + +Walk straight across the intersection and then here we are, finally at the Malay-Thai border. + +NOTE that you may be asked to be specially interviewed at the immigration counter, as this border is mostly for locals. Have a talk with the officers in charge and you are good to go. + + + +There is a cross-border railway bridge, but no real services in between as the rail on Malay side is almost completely abandoned. + + + +## Sungai Kolok - Hat Yai + +Once in Thai territory, be prepared for singal loss. Due to government regulations, all roaming services are not allowed in 3 Southern provinces in Thailand (Pattani, Narathiwat, and Yala) and 4 districts of Songkhla province (Chana, Na Thawi, Thepha, and Saba Yoi), so plan ahead accrodingly. + +I'd suggest to stay in Sg. Kolok for one night and take morning trains (Local. 448 or 452) straight to Hat Yai Junction. + + + +Most local trains are 3rd class only, and annoyingly cheap: 42 Bahts for a 4-hr ride. + + + +There's no A/C (or even electricity), but you generally won't feel very hot: wind would come in through windows anyway. + + + +Hat Yai is a large junction point in southern Thailand, and you'll get SIM singals back. From here, our line merges with West Coast line and together run up north to Bangkok. Catch any Express train and by next morning, you'll be in Thailand's capital.
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