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Construction projects in "Neo Pattaya"
Butterworth-Kulim airport link planned, Line 2 East metro extension opens in Manila, land-reclamation for airport rail link in Bangkok, and more construction and transport news in Southeast Asia.
This week I’ve restarted the “Future Cities” series with a look at Pattaya, where I last visited in January 2019. I was on my way there in March 2020 until, well, you know what happens next. On that trip I was planning to do a report on the Eastern Economic Corridor, and then fly from U-Tapao Airport to Saigon with a newly-launched flight with VietJet Air. I made it as far as Bang Saen (the closest beach to Bangkok) before returning to Vietnam to ride out the coming Covid storm.
I prefer to have at least visited a city when doing these Future reports, so Pattaya is one I can do until I get to visit again. The city is trying to rebrand itself as “Neo Pattaya”, which I have listed why in the article. There is also talk of demolishing this abandoned tower, though given how things work here it might end up rivalling the Sathorn Unique Tower (the Ghost Tower of Bangkok).
Also this week I take a look at the Den Chai – Chiang Rai – Chiang Khong Railway. Chiang Khong is in Chiang Rai province, so it’s easier to call this the Chiang Rai railway. There hasn’t been a lot of news about it in the English media, but I am seeing more updates via the Southeast Asia Railways group on Facebook. Most railway attention in Thailand has been on the high-speed railway to Laos, and the 3-airport railway project. Fair enough, as they are both active. After years of delays, it looks like the Chiang Rai railway is happening. With a railway connecting Bangkok, could Chiang Rai finally rival Chiang Mai as an alternative northern city hub?
Latest Posts At Future Southeast Asia
The Den Chai – Chiang Rai – Chiang Khong Railway is a proposed new railway in Northern Thailand.
Updated Posts
Cambodia
"This expressway project is not a highway like the road to Kampong Som, but a flyover with a total length of 21.5 kilometres (km) and two phases".
Added to New Phnom Penh Airport
Malaysia
The editorial battle for hearts and minds over the Penang South Islands project continues:
Not all fishermen object to Penang South Islands project vs the denial of the undeniable by blind supporters of Penang South Reclamation
Added to Penang South Islands
Philippines
Added to Cebu Monorail
Thailand
Vietnam
“The construction of a passenger terminal and a runway of the Long Thanh International Airport in the southern province of Dong Nai will begin in the first quarter of 2022 once ground clearance is completed, according to the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV).”
Added to Long Thanh International Airport
Other News
Cambodia
“The plan to construct a new airport in Mondul Seima district, Koh Kong province proposed by LYP Group and Bangkok Airways has seen no progress since 2019 as the firms have paused feasibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“The Australian Embassy in Cambodia has selected Sihanoukville as one of the priority destinations for smart city development and will continue to support this plan through the AU$49m Investing in Infrastructure (#3i) program.”
Indonesia
“Java Integrated Industrial and Port Estate, known as JIIPE, in East Java has already brought in $3.5 billion from 16 tenants, said Haryanto Adikoesoemo, president director at PT AKR Corporindo, a key backer for the project.”
“An Indonesian mapping platform is turning social media chatter into life-saving information during natural disasters.”
Laos
Bokeo province is opposite Chiang Rai province in Thailand. If the Chiang Rai railway is ever built, this road is on a similar path to a railway that has been proposed to meet it.
Malaysia
“A local authority in Penang has proposed a new rail line to connect Butterworth to the upcoming Kulim airport in the east as part of its proposed 2030 town planning blueprint revealed today for public feedback.”
Another potential airport rail link in Southeast Asia.
Philippines
“The president says he has a “win-win” relationship with Beijing but his critics aren’t so sure.”
Singapore
“A temporary scheme allowing construction firms to bring in workers from China before their skills are certified has attracted over 200 applications since its launch in May.”
Thailand
“The Red Line rail project will commence a "soft" launch of its services on Aug 2 and will allow commuters free rides for three months, Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob says.”
Vietnam
“Land acquisition, compensation payments and resettlement for affected households should be completed by the end of July so that construction on Ho Chi Minh City’s second metro line can begin, city officials have said.”
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