Hello from Ho Chi Minh City, where the Year of the Cat is just around the corner.

This week’s articles features another new urban area in Phnom Penh, and my Phnom Penh trip report for subscribers.

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In the news, Cambodia and Vietnam are seeking support for high-speed railways. It’s not mentioned what the speed of the railway would be in Cambodia, so they might just mean semi-high speed (like the Laos-China Railway that often gets called high-speed). Vietnam stated that they wanted real high-speed (up to 350km/h) though the speed will be less to reduce cost. They then have to stop talking about it and actually start building it (the first proposal dates back to 2006).

Latest posts at Future Southeast Asia

• Norea City – A new urban island in Phnom Penh

Norea City is a new urban area built on an island and reclaimed land in Phnom Penh. The island (Koh Norea) is on the Mekong River next to the mouth of the Bassac River.

Dispatches from Southeast Asia

• Phnom Penh trip report (2023 edition)

Construction reports for Koh Pich (the fake Paris island), BKK1 (the booming expat area), and Phnom Penh City Center (the city rising out of a drained lake).

News

• As China reopens, well-off citizens embrace ‘run’ culture and seek new homes in Southeast Asia

“Property sector upbeat as return of big-spending Chinese nationals expected to drive sales.”

🇰🇭 Cambodia

• Cambodia’s Hun Sen to head to China in search of high-speed rail support

• Work on Cambodian capital new airport expected to finish in 2024: spokesman, and Hun Sen’s sister, tycoon clash over troubled airport project

[Updated: Techo Takhmao International Airport]

• Outlooks sky-high as Siem Reap airport 63% done

🇮🇩 Indonesia

• High-speed rail cost overrun in final negotiation phase, says KCIC

[Updated: Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway]

• Indonesia’s Nusantara project could help lay foundation for Asean’s economic potential

[Updated: Nusantara]

• Cross Island Line work begins, 12 MRT stations ready by 2030 including Ang Mo Kio and Pasir Ris

• Go-Ahead Singapore to install solar panels on 50 more public buses after successful trial

• Video of Singapore train automatically blinding windows near houses goes viral

🇹🇭 Thailand

• Long-haul trains moving to new hub

”The decision to gradually move long-haul services to Krung Thep Abhiwat Central Terminal is in line with the State Railway of Thailand's plan to turn the new station into the country's primary rail hub under the Transport Ministry's 20-year development strategy.”

• Thailand’s 1st homegrown battery-electric locomotive begins trials

• Bangkok’s electric tuk tuks to triple this year

• Next steps for road bridge to Koh Samui

[Updated: Koh Samui Bridge]

• Thailand's SCG to test carbon capture tech for cement industry

• House paves way for first Thai casino

• Rename Bang Sue Grand Station whatever you want (for free)

While the controversy of the cost of replacing the station signage continues, you can make your own signage with this cool tool.

🇹🇱 Timor-Leste

• Commentary: Long way to go for Timor-Leste’s full membership in ASEAN

🇻🇳 Vietnam

• Vietnam again requests aid from Japan for high-speed railway

[Updated: North–South express railway Vietnam]

• Trans-Vietnam railway to be renovated at cost of $213M.

The current railway will have renovation works done while the country still proposes the high-speed railway.

• ACC raises possible issues with Long Thanh airport project

[Updated: Long Thanh International Airport]

• Transport sector asked to absolutely prevent corruption in projects

“Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked the transport sector to absolutely prevent corruption, wastefulness and negative phenomena in transport projects.”

While the PM was talking about stamping out corruption, the president of Vietnam resigned from his postion and party in relation to covid-related scandals that brought down other party member during hs tenure.

It’s hard to feel optimistic about transport in Vietnam when the high-speed rail and Long Thanh airport projects have been delayed by years.

• HCM City: 11 flyover stations of Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro to be completed by March

• No green zone: Da Nang parks leave residents in concrete jungle

• Electric vehicle heavyweight BYD to build car parts factory in Vietnam

• Dozens of power poles stand in the middle of Ho Chi Minh City street

Future Southeast Asia

Cambodia and Vietnam seek high-speed help…