It was opened in 1953 and is operated by Royal Railways of Cambodia (Chemins de Fer Royaux du Cambodge).

The railway was heavily attacked by artillery during the Cambodian Civil War, and the Khmer Rouge sabotaged the track at several locations.

[2] Railway services were completely cancelled in 2009 due to poor track conditions, but the line has been reopened in July 2018.

Trains to the Thai border now operate every second day, and a service from Phnom Penh to Bangkok is planned.

[3] Approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south-east of Battambang Royal railway station started the norry or Bamboo Train.