News #201: Bangkok construction update

Hello from Ho Chi Minh City. It’s still Tet here (the lunar new year), so it feels like a holiday even though it’s a normal work day for me.

This week’s main article is the annual construction update from my most recent Bangkok trip (here is the construction update archive). I also have the usual weekly round-up of transport and urban development news in Southeast Asia.

Latest posts at Future Southeast Asia

• Bangkok construction update: 2024 edition

The groundscraper of Sukhumvit, big projects surrounding Lumphini Park, legal drama for the massage parlour magnate at the Chuvit Garden project, Central Groups expanding mall empire, another iconic 60s hotel is gone, taking liberties with place names, and more.

News

🇰🇭 Cambodia

• Ministry builds canal to save Phnom Penh, Kandal from flooding by diverting water

• Residents near new Phnom Penh airport site protest land settlement

• PM Hun Manet plans to open the construction site of the Chak Angre Krom-Prek Pra bridge on February 19

🇮🇩 Indonesia

• Government targets completion of 41 national strategic projects by 2024, removes 12

• OIKN conducts survey for flying taxi trial at E Kalimantan airports

• BRI's Jakarta-Bandung high-speed railway: High costs but high returns

• Jakarta-Surabaya semi-high speed train crossed off national strategic project list

• Study: Indonesia’s new capital city threatens stable proboscis monkey population

• Socio-economic impact and outcomes for communities on the first build of the Trans-Sulawesi Railway [PDF]

• Trouble inventing paradise: Beijing-based development bank faces inflection point as concerns mount over ‘New Bali’ project

🇱🇦 Laos

• New railway from China boosts tourism in Laos' ancient capital

🇲🇾 Malaysia

• Penang’s LRT to extend to Butterworth via rail bridge, says Chow

• KTMB launches cashless payment mode for KTM Komuter trains

• MAHB: Upgrading, development plans for Kota Kinabalu International Airport

• Malaysia’s biggest port considers new investors for $8 billion expansion

• My Say: Time for the tri-state northern airport

• KUTS Blue Line projected to start passenger service in 2 years, says minister

• Premier: Road construction linking Miri to Long Terawan expected to begin next year

“The construction of a road spanning over 100 kilometres connecting Miri, Marudi, Mulu and Long Terawan is expected to commence next year, said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.”

• “Forced to take taxi” – M’sian shares KTM Padang Besar to Thai border footbridge’s constant closure

Good to see a local news site complaining about walkability issues in Malaysia.

I plan to do this border crossing this year, so expect a review! I also plan to do the Nong Khai-Vientiane train service once it is running. Meanwhile, I’m still waiting for the Thailand-Cambodia passenger rail service.

🇵🇭 Philippines

• SMC-led group offers highest bid for NAIA rehabilitation

• World’s biggest flying lab comes to Philippines on air pollution mission

• Mindanao rail new feasibility study to proceed even without funding in place

• Panguil Bay Bridge, Mindanao's longest, 88% complete

• Cebu BRT to be partially operational by Q2 2024 – DoTr

🇸🇬 Singapore

• A slow march: What Changi Airport needs to make a full recovery

• Affordability in the lion city: is Singapore’s public housing model built to last?

• Singapore can achieve net zero well before 2050, we should help our neighbours to decarbonise: Activist Ho Xiang Tian

• Street-hail rides dwindle as Singapore’s taxi population continues to shrink

🇹🇭 Thailand

• BMA's city plan revision sparks public concern

• Bangkok governor responds to city plan criticism

• Bangkok administration lacks funding to build three mass transit lines

• Airports of Thailand to invest B4.4bn in Suvarnabhumi expansion• Air force agrees to hand over golf course

This is the golf course between runways at Don Muang. Tan Son Nhat in HCMC also has a golf course on airport land.

• Changing sand for concrete: Will Thailand’s gamble on coastal erosion pay off?

🇻🇳 Vietnam

• Transport ministry working to secure approval of high-speed North-South railway in 2024

• PM urges expedited construction of Tan Son Nhat airport’s Terminal 3

“Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged ministries, sectors, contractors and relevant sides to speed up construction of Terminal 3 (T3) at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City so that it can be completed before April 30, 2025 to mark 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day.”

• Vietnam considers purchasing sand from Cambodia for expressways

• Hanoi’s metro line workers working during Tet and HCM City’s metro trains to run on trial basis throughout Tết holiday