Golden Century Tour & Travel Creates History with Direct Chartered Fortune Dragon Express

Ipoh’s premier tour agency, Golden Century Tour & Travel has set a high benchmark for fellow Malaysian tour operators by being the first to charter KTM Berhad’s 10-coach MySawasdee PLUS that ran directly from KL Sentral to Ipoh, then to Hat Yai, and returning to KL Sentral, allowing passengers to travel to the southern Thai city of Hat Yai and back to Ipoh/KL Sentral without changing trains at Padang Besar station.

staff of Golden Century Tour & Travel at Ipoh Railway Station

the writer's tickets — the writer’s tickets

passengers at Ipoh Railway Station waiting for the Fortune Dragon Express from KL Sentral

introducing staff of Golden Century Tour & Travel

The special charter MySawasdee PLUS train, named the Fortune Dragon Express, saw more than 400 passengers taking the ride, which departed from KL Sentral on 26th July 2024 and returned on 29th July 2024.

The 4-day, 3-night trip (1 night onboard the train and 2 nights at a Hat Yai city hotel) was a resounding success, judging by the full load of delighted passengers, to and fro.

Fortune Dragon Express arrives at the Ipoh Railway Station

one of the four Superior Sleeper Coaches

Partnering with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), this inaugural Special Charter Sawasdee Train package tour, aimed to create memorable experiences for the tourists, also to enhance the value of their trip to Hat Yai, and even beyond.

Ms. Thapanee Kiatpaiboon, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, noted that approximately 70% of Malaysian tourists prefer to travel to Thailand by land. Songkhla, Betong, and Satun provinces have seen significant growth in tourist arrivals, with Hat Yai City in Songkhla province being particularly popular.

arrival in Padang Besar at 5.30am and waiting for the immigration counters to open at 6am

arrival at Hat Yai Junction Station where the tour guides are ready to sort out the ground tours

Makro Hat Yai staff ready with goodie bags for the newly-arrived tourists

Hat Yai’s appeal is bolstered by convenient transportation options, including air, road, and rail. Liberal government measures that facilitate travel, such as the extended cancellation of the immigration form requirement at Sadao Checkpoint in Songkhla, have made travel to Thailand more convenient and faster.

Sienny takes a wefie with Golden Century managing Director, Mr. Jimmy Goh (R)

Golden Century managing Director, Mr. Jimmy Goh (R) ushers the passengers of Fortune Dragon Express to their coaches

some of the passengers of Fortune Dragon Express pose for a group photo

Video: Golden Century Tour & Travel Creates History with Direct Chartered Fortune Dragon Express

A brief rundown of the schedule:
10.30pm (26th July 2024): Departure from KL Sentral
2.20am (27th July 2024): Departure from Ipoh Railway Station
5.30am (27th July 2024): Arrival at Padang Besar
10am Thailand time (27th July 2024): Arrival at Hat Yai Junction Station

Mrs. Nongyao Jirandorn, Director TAT Hat Yai (2nd L); Mr. Jimmy Goh, Golden Century Managing Director (M) & Ms. Sirinthara Surakanitaya, Director TAT KL (2nd R)

a pair of lions from Ipoh Maching Sports Team welcome VVIP guests, including Mr. Eak Youngapai Na Songkhla, Chief District Officer Hat Yai (in denim jacket) and Mr. Richard Lim, Marketing Manager TAT KL (in red)

For the Special Charter Sawasdee Train, TAT in partnership with Makro and Lotus, organised welcoming activities for arriving tourists at Hat Yai Junction Station on the morning of 27th July 2024, to the resounding beats of drums and cymbals that accompanied the double lion dance performance, courtesy of Persatuan Sukan Dan Kebudayaan Ma Ching Ipoh (霹雳怡保马青文化体育会).

opening speech by Golden Century Managing Director, Mr. Jimmy Goh

Ms. Sirinthara Surakanitaya (Director, TAT KL)

Additionally, each tourist received a 400-Baht (approx. RM50) cash voucher to shop at Makro Hat Yai. They also received a special welcome gift set and were able to enjoy the “Lotus’s Amazing Fruits Buffet Fest” – a buffet of fresh fruits sponsored by Ekachai Distribution System Co., Ltd. (Lotus), available from 26th – 28th July 2024, at Lotus Hat Yai.

harmonica performance by world renowned Malaysian harmonica player, Mr. Chong Ah Kow

The Sawasdee Train enhances connectivity between Malaysia and Thailand, boosting tourism, attracting more Malaysian tourists to Thailand, generating income for the tourism industry, and promoting good relations between the two countries. Equipped with comfortable seating and sleeping compartments as well as a dining car and a lounge, the Sawasdee Train is scheduled for eight trips (without a package tour) in 2024, focusing on festival periods and school holidays in Malaysia.

another live painting accompanies the harmonica performance

Mr. Koh Teng Huat's knife oil painting of Hat Yai City is presented to Mr. Eak Youngapai Na Songkhla (Chief District Officer Hat Yai) — Mr. Koh Teng Huat’s knife oil painting of Hat Yai City is presented to Mr. Eak Youngapai Na Songkhla (Chief District Officer Hat Yai)

painting gift to Makro Hat Yai manager (in pink dress)

LED dragon performance by Ipoh Macing Sports Team

It was a double celebration for Golden Century Tour & Travel, to mark the successful chartered MySawasdee PLUS and the company’s 18th-anniversary annual dinner, hosted at Hat Yai’s Buri Sriphu Hotel & Convention Centre. All the train passengers were invited to join their staff, family, as well as friends in celebrating the momentous occasion.

Mr. Jimmy Goh, Managing Director of Golden Century Tour & Travel, took the opportunity to share with everyone a heartfelt love story that he has for Thailand which has endured over three decades.

Sichuan face changing performance by Ipoh Macing Sports Team

Grand Prize lucky draw winner of 5D4N Chiangmai Ground Tour for two by Golden Century (M)

Over a sumptuous course dinner, guests were captivated by dual-cultural stage entertainment by both Malaysian and Thai performers. View the full photo album on our official Facebook Page by clicking HERE.