PADANG BESAR: The Padang Besar-Hatyai train services resumed operations after it was closed following December bombing incidents on the Thailand's side of the railway track.
However, checks at the Padang Besar Railway Station today showed that not many passengers boarded the State Railway of Thailand's (SRT) train service to get to Hatyai today since the Malaysian school break ended yesterday.
One of the passengers, Annie Gee, 40, from Butterworth, Penang, said she decided to go on holiday in Hatyai after learning that the SRT train service had resumed operation.
"I wanted to go on a holiday in Hatyai but had to put the plan on hold upon learning about the bombing incident on the railway line for fear of my safety.
"However, I believe it is safe to travel to Hatyai now that the train service has resumed," said Anne, who was travelling with her friends.
Meanwhile, a source of the SRT train service said the number of Malaysian visitors who boarded the train during the weekend was quite encouraging.
"We wish to assure Malaysian passengers over their safety as the Thai security personnel are stationed along the railway track to monitor the situation," he said.
Based on an announcement by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd, the SRT train service from Padang Besar to Hatyai has resumed with four round-trips available daily.
Padang Besar to Hatyai trips are available at 9.55am and 4.40pm (Malaysian time), while the return trips from Hatyai to Padang Besar are available at 8.30am and 3pm daily, with the fare for a one-way trip of up to RM7.
SRT had recently announced that the train service for the Hatyai-Padang Besar sector would resume operations after the completion of repair works on the railway track before the New Year 2023.
For security purposes, the railway line was being monitored by Thai security personnel for three months, it said.
On Dec 3, a bomb exploded near the Klong Ngae Railway Station, Sadao, in southern Thailand causing the cargo train carriage traveling to Padang Besar, Malaysia, to derail.
Three days later, another bomb attack occurred not far from the first location, killing three SRT personnel and injuring three others.
Following the incident, the SRT train service for the Hatyai-Padang Besar sector was temporarily suspended to make way for the repair works on the affected railway track.