In a significant development for trade and transportation, PTT Public Company Limited, in collaboration with Global Multimodal Logistics Company Limited (GML), a subsidiary of PTT, successfully inaugurated the first train to transport goods from Thailand to Cambodia. The momentous event took place on July 26, 2023, at the Ban Khlong Luek border crossing station in Aranyaprathet Subdistrict, Sa Kaeo Province.
The auspicious occasion was graced by the presence of key dignitaries, including Mr. Chansak Chuncheon, Senior Executive Vice President of Engineering and Infrastructure at PTT, Mr. Phumwat Udomsap, Deputy Governor of Sa Kaeo Province, Maj. Gen. Nattapong Sattayanurak, Commander of the Sa Kaeo Provincial Police, and Mr. John Guiry, Chief Executive Officer of Royal Railway Public Company Limited, among others.
The collaborative effort between the public and private sectors aims to establish a multimodal transport model using Thailand’s rail system as the axis. This initiative seeks to expand the rail network of the ASEAN region and create efficient logistics options for traders between Thailand and Cambodia, ultimately enhancing Thailand’s trade competitiveness in the future.
During the ceremony, Mr. Chavalit Pimphoklang, Deputy Director of Operations at the product service department of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), emphasized the significance of rail transport service in the country’s overall strategy. The inaugural Thai-Cambodian railway symbolizes the fruitful cooperation between all partners involved and represents a crucial step towards improving the efficiency of goods transportation through the rail system between Thailand and Cambodia, as well as with other neighboring countries in the ASEAN region.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT), Aranyaprathet Customs House, and logistics business alliances played pivotal roles in supporting the successful launch of the first train to transport goods from Thailand to Cambodia. This milestone achievement highlights the potential of the rail system to facilitate seamless trade connections within the region, fostering economic growth and regional integration.