KL-Bangkok HSR more attractive and beneficial to Malaysia

The proposal for a high speed rail (HSR) linking Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok is one that is definitely more interesting than the much discussed KL-Singapore connection.

Indeed a KL-Bangkok link is more viable, allowing for the possibility of connecting Bangkok to Vientiane, in Laos, before eventually joining up with an already existing HSR line running from Vientiane to Kunming, in China.

No doubt, a link up with Bangkok, Vientiane, Kunming and beyond will be a major game changer for both the passenger travel sector and freight traffic in Malaysia.

It would mean major imports and export between Malaysia, Thailand, Laos and China can be carried on by rail instead of sea, as is currently the case. That would make doing business more cost effective and less time consuming.

I understand that there are also proposals to connect Bangkok with Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam) via HSR. Eventually, Bangkok will also be linked to Napiydaw, the capital of Myanmar.

This will eventually place Malaysia as part of a much bigger network in terms of future trade and land transport access to all these countries.

Singapore-dependent 

As a result, the logistics costs involved would be reduced dramatically and, if the proposed Thai landbridge between Chumphon and Ranong in the Isthmus of Kra materialises, Malaysia will surely benefit from increased trade and passenger connectivity.

I have no doubt that a cost-benefit analysis using the Coba method of assessment will show that the economic and financial feasibility of a KL-Bangkok HSR would be much greater than the proposed one with Singapore.

A KL-Bangkok HSR and the Thai landbridge will see Malaysia well-positioned to play a greater role in freight distribution across the entire region without having to rely on Singapore for cargo transhipment.

The arrival of tourists from these four countries into Malaysia will also be greatly enhanced.

At the moment, Malaysia’s freight trade and passenger travel are overly dependent on Singapore’s sea and airports as a transshipment hub for containers and an aviation hub for passengers.

The current arrangements are costly for Malaysia, but extremely lucrative and beneficial to Singapore.

If built, the proposed KL-Singapore HSR will only serve to increase our dependence on our southern neighbours.

For those reasons, I believe a KL-Bangkok HSR represents much better value for Peninsular Malaysia.

New alignment

It would not be necessary for the KL-Bangkok HSR alignment to replace existing KTMB lines. These lines are serving their markets well enough and should be allowed to continue doing so. Neither do I foresee the State Railway of Thailand wanting to replace its entire meter gauge line to Padang Besar.

The HSR will most likely be a standard gauge track.

For Malaysia, I believe that it would be more feasible and cost-effective for the HSR to run on a new alignment which can be used to open up new areas up north.

For instance, KL to Ipoh is quite straightforward. However, northwards from Ipoh, the line could run via Kuala Kangsar, Gerik and then to Betong, the South Thailand border town with Malaysia, and then on to Hat Yai, and from there north to Bangkok.

If planned in this manner, we could still retain the current KTMB meter gauge lines for domestic services, while creating a new line for the KL-Bangkok HSR.

Thailand may be receptive to this HSR alignment, as the country has built a new international airport at Betong to serve the South Thai aviation markets.

Indeed, having the HSR serve Betong will allow the Thais to capture both air cargo and passenger traffic in Southern Thailand.

All-in-all, a Bangkok HSR coupled with the proposed Kra landbridge promises a win-win situation for both Malaysia and Thailand. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.