Malaysia has approved a proposed extension of its East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) from Kota Bharu in Kelantan to Rantau Panjang, near the Thai border, strengthening cross-border transport connectivity and regional economic links.
The 32-kilometre extension will connect Rantau Panjang with Sungai Kolok in Thailand’s Narathiwat province. The proposal is intended to establish a direct railway link between Malaysia’s east coast and southern Thailand, facilitating passenger movement, trade and tourism.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the extension had received Cabinet approval and would undergo further cost and technical assessments alongside land acquisition. The project is expected to take approximately four and a half years to complete.
The extension forms part of the wider ECRL project, which is being developed to connect Kota Bharu with the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia through an approximately 665-kilometre railway network. The main line is expected to improve domestic freight and passenger transportation while supporting economic development along the east coast.
Malaysia and China had previously agreed to discuss the proposed extension, with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim highlighting its potential to stimulate economic activity in Kelantan and improve transport links with Thailand.
The project is expected to strengthen connectivity between border communities and create opportunities for logistics, tourism and commercial activity.
Further details on the extension’s cost, construction schedule and implementation arrangements are expected to be finalised following technical studies and land acquisition procedures.
The railway link would also complement existing efforts by Malaysia and Thailand to expand cross-border transport infrastructure and regional trade.
