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- Future Southeast Asia News [5 Nov 2025]
Future Southeast Asia News [5 Nov 2025]
Penang trip report, Kratie Mekong bridge, Whoosh high-speed train to Banyuwangi (for Bali ferry), push to establish "Bicol Express" in Luzon, Singapore-Johor RTS Link, Hanoi-Ha Long high-speed railway
James Clark
November 05, 2025
The Future Southeast Asia Newsletter features transport and urban development news in Southeast Asia, edited by James Clark.
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Latest article
• Penang construction update (2025 edition) [Premium]
Trip report for my visit to Penang in September 2025. The Penang LRT finally begins construction, historic Georgetown starts a greening and pedestrianisation project, merging old and new outside the historic UNESCO area, the Gurney Bay reclamation update, and repeating the same car-centric mistakes in the Andaman Island project.
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News
🇰🇭 Cambodia
• Kratie Mekong bridge on track for official April 2026 opening [The Phnom Penh Post]
• Investments worth $400M under review for Cambodia’s northeast [Khmer Times]
• Kep setting sights on becoming Southeast Asia’s next key coastal destination [The Phnom Penh Post]
🇮🇩 Indonesia
Banyuwangi is where the Java-Bali ferries depart, though the journey to South Bali would still require a 1-hour ferry ride and a 3-hour bus ride.
"...the construction of railway networks in regions such as Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi is expected to create new economic hubs and strengthen connectivity between strategic industrial areas and special economic zones across various regions."
• Whoosh train woes are Indonesia’s, not a China debt trap [Asia Times]
"High-speed railway project faces corruption probe but any dodgy dealings were born in Jakarta, not Beijing."
• Indonesia dismisses "ghost city" fears over Nusantara project [Antara News]
"Authorities fall short in tackling uncontrolled development amid record visitor numbers."
🇱🇦 Laos
• Feasibility study begins for Boten–Nateuy Expressway, highway upgrades in Luang Namtha [The Laotian Times]
• Eight parking zones planned in Vientiane ahead of BRT launch [The Laotian Times]
🇲🇾 Malaysia
• RTS Link train trials begin December without passengers, says Loke [New Straits Times]
• Bukit Bintang set for glow-up to rival Tokyo’s Ginza and Singapore’s Orchard Road, says housing minister [Malay Mail]
"Loke said the initiative aimed to reactivate the line for passenger and cargo train services, thereby enhancing Malaysia-Thailand cross-border rail connectivity through the link to Sungai Golok, Thailand."
• Second 'Friendship Bridge' over Sungai Golok to boost trade and ties with Thailand [New Straits Times]
🇲🇲 Myanmar
• Myanmar's rush of bridge openings propped up by Japan, South Korea (archive) [Nikkei Asia]
• Unchecked groundwater extraction threatens to sink Yangon [The Irrawaddy]
🇵🇭 Philippines
• Solons make aggressive push for 'Bicol Express', call for immediate feasibility study [Manila Bulletin]
"Four Bicol-based congressmen have revived in the 20th Congress the push to establish a high-speed Philippine National Railway-South Long Haul (PNR-SLH) rail project—more popularly known as the "Bicol Express"."
• The China Boom: Think tank pushes PH to rebuild economic ties to leverage 15th Five-Year Plan [The Manila Times]
• ‘Lack of new airports hinder Asia-Pacific travel’ [The Philippine Star]
"Urban planner Paul Villarete described the World Bank’s decision to withdraw its funding for the remaining phases of the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (CBRT) project as unfortunate."
🇸🇬 Singapore
• Budget for future MRT lines may cover longer stations to boost train capacity: Jeffrey Siow [The Straits Times]
• Acting Transport Minister hopes to provide Seletar Line updates by 2026, in response to Ng Chee Meng [AsiaOne]
• Singapore task force to help local businesses prepare for RTS Link with Malaysia ahead of 2026 opening [Malay Mail]
🇹🇭 Thailand
• State Railway of Thailand given B18-billion lifeline [Bangkok Post]
"Cabinet approves loan for chronically indebted agency to cover operating costs through 2026."
• Southern extension of Purple Line 65% complete [The Nation]
• B40 daily flat fare approved for Red and Purple lines [Bangkok Post]
• AOT seeks Cabinet approval for 220-billion-baht investment to expand Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports [The Nation]
• BTS won't abandon U-Tapao aviation city project, awaits EEC’s finalisation of investment benefits [The Nation]
• Patong Tunnel overhaul sparks outrage as decades of planning scrapped [The Phuket News]
🇻🇳 Vietnam
• Vietnam proposes 0% loans, 30-year terms for high-speed railway investors [VietNamNet Global]
• HCMC wants to break ground on Metro Line 2 within this year [The Saigon Times]
• Ho Chi Minh City backs Vingroup’s plan to develop 12.5-hectare underground space at Ben Thanh Market [Tuoi Tre News]
• Ho Chi Minh City is gradually sinking [VnExpress]
"With plans for 16 urban railway lines spanning over 200 kilometers, Danang is prioritizing private investment to develop a modern public transport-oriented urban model."
The planned urban rail system in Danang city, central Vietnam.
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