News: August 2024

Welcome to the August 2024 edition of the Southeast Asia Railway Newsletter.

This month I tried out the new international rail service between Udon Thani and Vientiane. This is in addition to the overnight service between Bangkok and Vientiane, which I will try out another time.

Here is the latest news about railways in Southeast Asia.

News

Featured article

• Udon Thani to Vientiane by train: cross the Mekong on this local international rail service

🇰🇭 Cambodia

• Minister urges RRC to speed up rail modernization

• DC-Cam train tour helps Vietnamese researchers study KR history

🇮🇩 Indonesia

• KAI expects increased train usage in Jakarta post-capital relocation, invests in 600 new trains

• Significant increase in foreign tourists using trains in Indonesia in 2024, KAI reports

• On board Indonesia’s most indulgent luxury train journey

🇱🇦 Laos

• Rail network ‘a game changer for Laos, region looks set to reap benefits’

• First Lao nationals certified as train drivers by Lao-China Railway

🇲🇾 Malaysia

• Putrajaya to acquire new passenger trains for KTMB through RM10.7b leasing deal with China; 62 sets for phase one

• ECRL project reaches 70pc completion

• KL-Singapore HSR project more feasible if line extends up to China [BTTV]

• Thai travel vlogger hilariously reviews KTM Intercity sleeper train, impressed by the facilities available

🇲🇲 Myanmar

• Train service to resume: Pathein-Hinthata-Kyan Khin train to be resumed

🇵🇭 Philippines

• Japan express interest in funding PNR South Long Haul

• Mindanao Railway Project: A vision for sustainable development

• Rural resurgence requires rail revival

🇹🇭 Thailand

• Direct Bangkok-Butterworth train service to be revived

• Thai-Chinese high-speed railway 36% behind schedule

• Progress in airports high-speed link construction awaits new Cabinet

• New dual-track railway opens on southern line

“The Southern dual-track route from Nakhon Pathom to Chumphon covering 421 kilometres was opened to passengers on Monday, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) said.”

• Four companies submit bids for Khon Kaen-Nong Khai dual-track railway

• What it's like taking the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

🇻🇳 Vietnam

• Vietnam, China sign 14 agreements during top leader’s visit to Beijing

“A meeting with President Xi ended with pledges to develop infrastructure, including railways.”

• China construction company offers to build Vietnam high-speed railroad

• Railway development a priority for the next 25 years

• Railway ticket e-wallet payment, vending machines launched

• PPP investment proposed for Thu Thiem – Long Thanh railway project

• New HCMC-Nha Trang trains on trial run

“The trains, SNT6 and SNT3, are operated by Vietnam Railways Corporation and China's Jinxin Group, with one trip every two days. The trial run will last to Oct. 7, according to the Vietnam Railways Corporation's Saigon Railway Joint Stock Company.”