Bangkok's Red Line extension problem

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

This week’s feature article is a continuation of last week’s article about how to fix Makkasan Station in Bangkok. Two separate rail lines are being built in the same corridor, with Makkasan as one of the stations. My plan will stop this wasteful duplication of resources, and it might fix one of the worst roads in Bangkok in the process.

Latest posts at Future Southeast Asia

• Bangkok should scrap the Light Red Line extension and build this instead

My proposal is to scrap the Light Red Line eastern extension and build a transit line along Petchaburi Road.

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News

• Southeast Asia Aid Map 2024 - Key Findings Report

“The Southeast Asia Aid Map — launched by the Lowy Institute in 2023 — is a comprehensive database tracking official development finance (ODF) flows in Southeast Asia.

This 2024 Key Findings report includes an analysis of Southeast Asia’s evolving development finance landscape and a series of profiles on each of the 11 Southeast Asian countries covered in the database.”

• Asean Express boosts freight carriage by rail through region up to China

“Malaysia’s trade connectivity with the rest of South-East Asia and China has been improved with the launch of the Asean Express, an international freight train connecting Malaysia to Thailand, Laos and China.”

• Chinese EV makers race to Southeast Asia for growth amid US trade war (archive)

🇰🇭 Cambodia

• Hun Sen calls for drums, fireworks for Funan Techo Canal groundbreaking

• Charting the course of the E-mobility project preparation study in Siem Reap

• Kampot International Tourism Port to start operation in third quarter of this year

• China continues as Cambodia’s largest creditor with $4.11 billion

🇮🇩 Indonesia

• Nusantara presidential palace to be ready in July: Minister Basuki

• Gov’t tries to dispel concerns over new capital’s small population size

• The Ministry of Transportation targets the Jakarta LRT Phase 1B to be completed in the third quarter of 2026

• Medium- and long-term impacts of transit on congestion: Jakarta’s experience

• Bali to introduce smart buses with dedicated lanes in 2025

🇱🇦 Laos

• Cable car project faces feasibility challenges; one-stop border post recommended for smoother Thailand-Lao PDR crossings

There is a proposed cable car from Nong Khai to Vientiane, which would be the world’s second international cable car after the planned China-Russia cable car.

The cable car crosses the Mekong and it doesn’t go to Vientiane city, but it’s in Vientiane Prefecture so it can be called Vientiane. Here is a detailed PDF of the project.

• China-financed Laos railway expands Beijing’s reach in Southeast Asia

🇲🇾 Malaysia

• Penang Hill cable car project takes off

“The Penang Hill Cable Car project has taken off and is scheduled to be completed by the third quarter of 2026.”

• Alignment for Penang Mutiara LRT line finalised

• Let engineers work out Penang island-mainland rail bridge

 🇵🇭 Philippines

• Cebu City plans downtown pedestrianization with trees, walking paths starting year-end

• Davao, Panabo face RoW funding constraints for Mindanao Railway

• Bulacan Ecozone Law a chance to get urban planning right – Salceda

🇸🇬 Singapore

• ‘Symbol of bonded kinship’: Singaporeans, Malaysians laud importance of Causeway as motorway celebrates 100 years

• Commentary: How can Singapore and Malaysia tackle Causeway congestion? | Video

• The Big Read in short: Amid the MRT network expansion, how connected is Singapore?

🇹🇭 Thailand

• Southern Land Bridge to partially open in 6 years: minister

• Fire damages prototype tram in Khon Kaen vehicle yard

• B20 mass transit fare cap plan making progress

"A plan to cap fares on all of Greater Bangkok's mass transit lines at 20 baht is projected to be completed by September next year, with the Green, Gold and Airport Rail Link lines to be the last on the list."

• Bangkok to grow another one million trees

• BMA launches new green park

"'Suan 50 Suk' is built on 13-rai of abandoned land."

• Pattaya City demolishes encroaching houses in Photisan Soi 6

🇻🇳 Vietnam

• Vietnam plans 3 railway links with China under Belt and Road Initiative

"...the three railway routes under consideration are Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong, Lang Son-Hanoi, and Mong Cai-Ha Long-Hai Phong."

• Hanoi plans $50 billion investment for 600km urban railway network by 2045. Meanwhile, Nhon - Hanoi Railway project misses deadline for 13th time.

• HCMC proposes converting abandoned resettlement apartments into social housing

• Vietnam to develop 6km conveyor belt to transport coal from Laos

• Da Nang to have free trade zone linked with major port

• Quang Tri airport project to commence construction in early July

• Vietnam leads SE Asia in motorbike usage