Southeast Asia Railways News (June 2025)

Jakarta-Surabaya high-speed train project still on, Mindanao rail project, Thailand eastern line rail tourism, private companies pitch for Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City high-speed railway.

Author

James Clark
June 05, 2025

Welcome to the June 2025 edition of the Southeast Asia Railways Newsletter. This is a summary of the latest rail news in Southeast Asia.

News

🇮🇩 Indonesia

"With the current US$7.3 billion rail line not projected to break even for 40 years, analysts are urging caution on an extension."

🇱🇦 Laos

"...both PMs emphasised the need to strengthen connectivity between their economies in terms of transport infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, and tourism, including accelerating the construction of Hanoi-Vientiane Expressway and the Vientiane-Vung Ang railway."

Nothing to get excited about here. Every time officials of the two countries meet they say it would be great if they got on with building the Vientiane-Vung Ang railway.

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Future Southeast AsiaTransport and urban development in Southeast Asia.

🇲🇾 Malaysia

"The lack of lifts or escalators at some train stations leave many new users frustrated."

🇵🇭 Philippines

"The Mindanao Railway System (MRS) project is not yet dead, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon III said, clarifying that the Philippine government is actively looking for foreign donors to fund it."

🇹🇭 Thailand

"The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has given the green light to a 12 billion baht budget for the compulsory purchase of land needed for the second phase of the high-speed railway being built in collaboration with China."

"The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has revised the design of the Ayutthaya high-speed rail station following recommendations from international heritage experts, who emphasised the need to strike a balance between development and preserving the World Heritage site."

"The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) will begin testing KiHa 40 and 48 diesel trains before the end of next month, as it plans to start deploying the second-hand trains from Japan on suburban feeder routes by year-end."

"The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has unveiled plans to enhance rail services along the Eastern Line, with a focus on expanding tourism train offerings. This scenic corridor will link Bangkok to coastal highlights like Si Racha, Bang Saen, Pattaya, Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, and Sattahip."

🇻🇳 Vietnam

"Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested for strong determination and necessary conditions to start the construction of the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong railway project on December 19."

"Vietnam Railway officially restored the Vietnam - China international passenger train pair from Gia Lam Station (Hanoi) to Nam Ninh (China)."

"Vietnam and China have resumed international rail services between Hanoi and Beijing, with direct trains scheduled to run twice a week starting May 27, according to the Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR)."

"VinSpeed commits to mobilising 20% of the total capital, equivalent to 12.27 billion USD. For the remaining 80%, excluding costs related to compensation, relocation support, and resettlement for land clearance, the company proposed borrowing from the state budget, through zero-interest loans, repayable over a 35-year period from the disbursement date."

"Automaker Truong Hai Group Corp. (Thaco) has asked to build the North-South high-speed railroad at a cost of VND1.5 quadrillion (US$61 billion).

It seeks to put in 20% of the cost and secure the rest through loans from domestic and international financial institutions."

"Vingroup and Thaco’s proposals to build the Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City high-speed rail line both demand substantial state support."

"The Binh Dinh Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism coordinated with Vietnam Railways to launch the ‘Back to the Land of Martial Arts’ tourist train route, operating between Quy Nhon Station and Dieu Tri Station in Binh Dinh Province on June 1."

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