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

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

Vietnam

Ministry to assess Sa Pa airport project

Future Southeast Asia

A review of Bangkok's Gold Line