A review of Bangkok's Gold Line
A review of Bangkok's Gold Line
The people-mover connecting Iconsiam to the Bangkok Skytrain, news on the cancelled Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Railway, and the new mega airport for HCMC finally begins construction.
Happy new year! While we are glad to see the back of 2020, it’s going to take more than a change of year for things to get back to normal. On the travel and research front, I don’t expect to be able to travel freely for the foreseeable future. With that in mind I will open the site to more guest posts to writers in the region. This week’s article is a post from our man in Bangkok, Greg Jorgensen.
Latest Posts at Living In Asia
Bangkok’s Gold Line - a review of the latest edition to the transit system of Bangkok.
Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Railway
The big news this week was the official cancellation of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) project. Malaysia will have to pay Singapore an undisclosed amount for the privilege cancelling the project. Singapore have so far spent S$270 million on the project, but Malaysia expect that the compensation amount will be less.
Malaysia says that the project was cancelled due to Covid-19 impact on the economy, though reports in Singapore say that Malaysia wanted to remove the agreed systems supplier and network operator.
The cancellation will likely have a knock-on effect on projects that were planned in anticipation of the railway, including Bandar Malaysia and projects in Johor state.
One report suggested that a domestic high-speed railway in Malaysia could be built, but transport analysts have pointed out that it would be redundant without including Singapore.
It’s not clear yet if the project will be revived in its current form, or medium-speed railway is built in its place.
Updated Posts
Malaysia
HSR axing to derail prospect built around Bandar Malaysia project
“Property projects within the vicinity of Bandar Malaysia are likely to come under threat from the cancellation of the Kuala Lumpur (KL)-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR).”
Added to Bandar Malaysia
Myanmar
Myanmar government eyes town status for controversial China-backed project
“Surveys have been conducted into granting town status to Shwe Kokko Myaing village, a controversial China-backed project in Myawaddy Township, Karen State.”
Added to Shwe Kokko New City
Philippines
San Miguel gets 50-year franchise for Airport City project in Bulacan as bill lapses into law
Added to New Manila International Airport
Vietnam
Work begins on Long Thanh Airport
“The $4.6 billion first phase of the airport in Dong Nai Province is set to be completed by 2025 when it will be able to handle 25 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of cargo a year.”
Added to Long Thanh International Airport
Other News
Asia
Almost half of Japan technology firms diversifying supply chains away from China, survey shows
Cambodia
Angkor theme park, Siem Reap ‘smart city’ to boost Cambodia tourism
China firm to develop Mondulkiri airport
“Tourism to the Kingdom’s northeast corridor could experience a remarkable metamorphosis after the government decided in principle of a Chinese company to study and develop a proposal to build a regional-level airport in Mondulkiri province, according to industry insiders.”
Hong Kong
Hong Kong government to sell four plots next quarter as it looks to shore up its land sales revenue
Laos
Luang Prabang to develop new public park
Construction of fifth Lao-Thai bridge begins
Malaysia
Smooth sailing on first day of Penang's fast passenger ferries
Philippines
Passenger Forum launches online poll asking Filipinos to decide on NAIA’s future
Singapore
KL-Singapore High Speed Rail cancellation will have little impact on other plans for Jurong: Experts
“The axing of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail (HSR) will have no immediate bearing on development plans for the Jurong region, which was slated to host the project's southernmost terminus, experts said on Friday (Jan 1).”
Thailand
In old Bangkok, a goddess resists a wave of gentrification