Southeast Asia Railways News (December 2025)

The Southeast Asia Railways Newsletter is a summary of rail news in Southeast Asia, edited by James Clark from Future Southeast Asia and Nomadic Notes.

News

🇮🇩 Indonesia

• President Prabowo calls for railway infra development outside of Java [Antara News]

• Prabowo keen to expand Whoosh high-speed train to East Java's Banyuwangi [Tempo]

• Is Indonesia planning a Java-Bali high-speed railway? [Future Southeast Asia]

• Problematic options in settling Whoosh debt [Tempo]

"Two years into operation, the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project—marketed as Whoosh and hailed as a breakthrough in public transportation under President Joko Widodo—has instead remained a persistent drag on the financial performance of its shareholders."

• Plan for new Jakarta-Bandung fast train raises questions over Whoosh (archive) [The Jakarta Post]

"The envisioned Kilat Pajajaran railway project threatens to cut into the market for the existing high-speed Whoosh service connecting the same two cities."

• PT KAI rushes to repair flood-hit rail lines in Northern Sumatra [Antara News]

🇱🇦 Laos

• Laos-China Railway marks fourth anniversary with record growth [The Laotian Times]

• Laos, Vietnam agree to forge ahead with transport projects [Vientiane Times]

"The governments of Laos and Vietnam have agreed to speed up joint ventures that will boost regional connectivity and economic growth, especially the Vientiane-Hanoi expressway, the Laos-Vietnam railway, and the Vung Ang seaport."

• Chinese trains, tourists and money are flooding Laos. Locals wonder if it makes sense [The Straits Times]

🇲🇾 Malaysia

• ETS to connect Johor Baru, Kuala Lumpur starting Dec 12 [The Star]

• Everything we know about the electric train service that will connect Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur soon [Lifestyle Asia]

• ECRL project hits 89% completion as of October 2025 [The Star]

"With preparations now shifting to the testing and commissioning phase which is expected to begin in mid-2026, the project is anticipated to commence operations from Kota Bharu to the Gombak Integrated Terminal by January 2027."

• First ECRL trains to arrive in Kuantan by December end [The Sun]

• Butterworth KTM station to undergo RM30mil upgrade, says Loke [FMT]

• KTMB cancels MySawasdee trains between KL and Hat Yai for December amid flood damage inspections [Malay Mail]

• Preliminary railway alignment proposed for Trans-Borneo Railway project, says Sarawak Deputy Transport Minister [The Star]

🇲🇲 Myanmar

• Junta sets up committee to expedite China-backed Muse-Mandalay Railway [The Irrawaddy]

• Goteik Viaduct renovated and tested with train carrying 209 tons of cargo [Eleven Myanmar]

• Naypyidaw-Mandalay airbag train starts running with battery-electric locomotive [OneNews Channel Myanmar]

• Myanmar's NEW Spanish built CAF trains (DEMU) - A journey from Yangon to Pyinmana! [Travelsbymiika YouTube]

🇵🇭 Philippines

• DOTr begins right-of-way acquisition for Mindanao Railway [Philippine News Agency]

• COA flags DOTr over delays in P175-B South Long-Haul Railway Project [Manila Bulletin]

• PNR suspends CamSur-Albay operations due to typhoon-damaged tracks [Inquirer]

🇸🇬 Singapore

• KL-Sg HSR still on the cards for Singapore, but with ‘shift in focus’ [The Borneo Post]

• Singaporean tourists to benefit from Johor Bahru-Kuala Lumpur Electric Train Service [Tempo]

🇹🇭 Thailand

• Thailand expands northern rail network with record-breaking elevated section [Pattaya Mail]

"Say hello to Lopburi 2 Station, the latest addition to Thailand’s modern railway network! Officially opened on 5 December 2025, this brand-new elevated station in Tha Wung District, Lopburi is part of the double-track railway project — making train travel faster, safer, and more scenic for all."

• Third tunnel on new line in North nearing completion [Bangkok Post]

"Work on the Song Tunnel, which lies on the new railway line currently under construction between Den Chai in Phrae and Chiang Khong at the Lao border, is about 90% complete, according to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT)."

• Double-track Southern Line opens fully between Hua Hin and Prachuap [Hua Hin Today]

• State railway ready to move on with dual-track work [Bangkok Post]

"The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is ready to move forward with three more routes under Phase 2 of the double-track railway project, which will see the line from Chumphon to Padang Besar near the border with Malaysia upgraded to dual tracks."

• Panel defends changes to airport high-speed rail deal [Bangkok Post]

"The Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee has defended its plan to amend the contract for the high-speed rail project connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-tapao airports, saying the move is critical to keep the flagship infrastructure project alive amid shifting economic realities."

• Flash floods damage southern railway, SRT suspends services temporarily [The Nation]

• A new classic is born: The Blue Jasmine train begins its nine day prestigious journey across Thailand [TravelDailyNews]

• All aboard Thailand’s iconic ‘floating train’ [Lifestyle Asia]

• Hidden in plain sight: Thailand’s lost railway station remains frozen in time! [YouTube]

YouTuber Edd Pai Tiew visits Songkhla Station.

🇻🇳 Vietnam

• North–South trains remain out of service due to railway damage after floods [SGGP]

• Government seeks lawmakers’ approval for private investment in North-South high-speed rail [VnExpress]

• Vietnam’s most ambitious US$67 billion North-South high-speed railway faces funding conundrum [The Business Times]

"Whether private firms can play a role in easing the state’s financial burden for this large-scale project remains uncertain."

• Haiphong accelerates land clearance for Lao Cai–Hanoi–Haiphong railway project [The Saigon Times]

• Vietnam rolls out 13-car high-quality train for Hanoi-Da Nang route [VietnamPlus]

• Train Review: [SP8] Lao Cai to Hanoi [Rail Vietnam]

A review of the daytime train service from Lao Cai to Hanoi.

• Old Dong Ha Station [Rail Vietnam]