Singapore: Information on whether it is possible to take the train from Pakistan to Singapore and which documents would be required
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 January 1994 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | SGP16183.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Singapore: Information on whether it is possible to take the train from Pakistan to Singapore and which documents would be required, 1 January 1994, SGP16183.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abf92c.html [accessed 2 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
According to a number of sources, it is not possible to travel by train directly from Pakistan to Singapore (Eastview Travel Agency 10 Jan. 1994; China Tours International 10 Jan. 1994; High Commission for Pakistan 11 Jan. 1994).
Further information on possible railway connections between countries within this area has also been researched. A travel agent from China Tours International stated that there is a line from Pakistan to China but it stops near the Pakistan-China border, so there is no train connection between the two countries (11 Jan. 1994). According to this source, the only direct trains to China are those coming from Russia, Mongolia and Korea (ibid.). This source further stated that there is a railroad between China and Vietnam, but the connection is not direct and trains must be changed at the border (ibid.). A representative of the High Commission for Pakistan in Ottawa agreed that there was no railway connection between Pakistan and China (11 Jan. 1994). A representative of the People's Republic of China in Ottawa could not provide any information on whether it is possible to enter China by train from Pakistan or India (11 Jan. 1994). This source further stated that Pakistanis need visas to enter China (ibid.).
A representive of the Embassy of Myanmar in Ottawa stated that there is no railway connecting Myanmar with other countries (11 Jan. 1994). This source further stated that the state of the roads even makes it difficult to cross the country by this method (ibid.).
A representative of the Singapore Tourist Promotion Board in New York stated that it was not possible to travel by train between Myanmar and Thailand, nor through Cambodia, Vietnam or Laos (10 Jan. 1994). A representative of the Embassy of Thailand in Ottawa stated that it was not possible to travel by train between Laos and Thailand (10 Jan. 1994). This source also stated that Pakistanis need a visa to enter Thailand and that there is a direct train from Singapore to Thailand (ibid.).
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
China Tours International, Ottawa. 11 January 1994. Telephone interview with travel agent.
. 10 January 1994. Telephone interview with travel agent.
Eastview Travel Agency, Ottawa. 10 January 1994. Telephone interview with travel agent.
Embassy of Myanmar, Ottawa, 11 January 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
Embassy of the People's Republic of China, Ottawa. 11 January 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
Embassy of Thailand, Ottawa. 10 January 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
High Commission for Pakistan, Ottawa. 11 January 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
Singapore Tourist Promotion Board, New York. 10 January 1994. Telephone interview with representative.
