Southeast Asia transport and construction news (#249)

The Future Southeast Asia Newsletter features transport and urban development news in Southeast Asia, edited by James Clark.

Greetings from Bangkok, which is in the midst of an airpocalypse. The air quality is in the red zone, and those who have the luxury of being able to work from home are encouraged to do so.

A contributing factor to air pollution in January is crop burning. The government is trying to stamp out agricultural burning, though there is resistance.

The smog is also referred to as transboundary haze. I am watching the AQI levels in Ho Chi Minh City, which is also unhealthy. Some of the AQI websites show fire hotspots on their maps. The maps show fires in Cambodia contributing to the haze in Vietnam.

I will compile a construction report for Bangkok while I am here, and do some rail transit updates as well.

When I am riding the transit system of Bangkok I often say to myself “If I was in charge of the MRTA I would do this…” If that is you, and if you are qualified, you are invited to apply for the position of Governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand.

Latest posts at Future Southeast Asia

• Ho Chi Minh City construction report

The HCMC Metro and Transport Oriented Development, the many boxy blue towers, Saigon is getting a Nobu, the Thu Thiem New Urban Area shows signs of life and bridges update.

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News

🇰🇭 Cambodia

• Caution urged in vicinity of planned Phnom Penh to Kandal bridge

• Cambodia waives tax on cement industry until December 2026

🇮🇩 Indonesia

• Indonesia's President Prabowo to spend $3 bln on new capital city through 2029

• Indonesia launches 37 energy projects

• Government seeks greater private sector role in infrastructure development

• Indonesian cities cease public transport amid funding shortage

"Bali and other cities in Indonesia have either ceased or reduced their transportation services due to a lack of funding from central and local governments."

• ‘Not for the poor’: Indonesians in capital Jakarta face housing, commute woes

🇱🇦 Laos

• Cambodia-Laos working groups discuss cross-border bridge construction project

🇲🇾 Malaysia

• Private sector to drive HSR project with minimal govt funding, says Loke

• Connect Melaka to KLIA, forget empty talk about HSR

• ECRL Maran-Kota Bharu rail track completed ahead of schedule

• RM442 million Kota Kinabalu International Airport upgrade to start in third quarter

• Premier: Sarawak’s new international airport to be in Tanjung Embang

• KUTS project advances; Sarawak Metro calls for patience

• Penang crowned “Traffic Nightmare Champion 2024,” beats KL In epic gridlock battle

 🇵🇭 Philippines

• Fighting for funds: Marcos wants to restore budget slashed from foreign-assisted DPWH projects

• Philippines’ Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project secures loan from South Korea

• Japan-PH hold TBM launching ceremony for Metro Manila Subway project

• NAIA: ‘Still a third world airport’

🇸🇬 Singapore

• Last two pandemic-delayed BTO projects completed; HDB to finish building 17,000 flats this year

• New community spaces for Rail Corridor in Queensway, Stagmont Ring

🇹🇭 Thailand

• Three-airport rail link work ‘could start in April’

"Project is five years behind schedule due to haggling over contract with CP-led consortium."

• Korat mass transit gets nod

“Design work on 11.2-kilometre rail route to start this year.”

• Ambitious ‘Homes for Thais’ scheme targets 1 million units

• Khlong Toei and U-Tapao could emerge attractive areas for investors

"The criteria for the development of entertainment complexes after the passing of the law could make Khlong Toei in Bangkok and U-Tapao attractive options for investors."

• Thai resort island Phuket grapples with growing garbage crisis

🇹🇱 Timor-Leste

• ‘Really dumb and lazy if we do not benefit’: Timor-Leste president on hopes of joining ASEAN in 2025

🇻🇳 Vietnam

• Vietnam’s high-speed North-South railway to break ground in December 2027

"Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport has announced that construction of the high-speed North-South railway will begin in December 2027, with completion expected by 2035."

• HCMC, Hanoi propose policies to accelerate metro development

• Vietnam premier gives nod to $4.5bn int’l transshipment port project in Ho Chi Minh City

• US adds $130M to dioxin cleanup project at Vietnam airport, one of world's most contaminated regions

"An additional US$130 million has been added to a dioxin decontamination project at Bien Hoa Airport in Dong Nai Province in southern Vietnam, bringing the total funding to $430 million." (The dioxin is better known as Agent Orange.)

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