Ho Chi Minh City construction report

Phnom Penh to build the tallest building in Southeast Asia, more delays for Thai-Chinese high-speed rail, Mindanao railway update, and more transport and construction news in SE Asia.

Hello from Ho Chi Minh City, where hard lockdown continues. I’ve been housebound for most of the last three weeks, so this week’s construction update is from photos and notes I’ve taken this year. I would have liked to have waited a year between the 2020 update, but I figured should get this year’s update out the door.

My plan for these construction updates is to feature the major cities of Southeast Asia every year, creating an archive of construction history. With the Delta variant of COVID-19 causing havoc across Southeast Asia, I don’t expect any more 2021 editions.

In my brief walks to get supplies, I noticed that some construction sites were still operating, though I don’t know how long that will last. Construction sites have been virus hotspots in the Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, so I can’t see how Vietnam will continue to keep construction sites covid-free.

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Laos

"The station is located in Phonhong, some 70 kilometers north of Vientiane Capital. It has a maximum capacity of 300 passengers, with a total area of 1,500 square meters."

Malaysia

“Property analysts believe the Bandar Malaysia project could resume once there is a clear path to sustainable economic recovery to support new demand and expansion of existing businesses.”

Philippines

Thailand

"The government's ban on moving construction workers during the latest Covid-19 uptick has adversely impacted the progress of the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) said on Tuesday."

“The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has shelved its planned development of commercial space covering 32 rai of land at Bang Sue Grand Station after no private companies submitted bids for the project.”

Vietnam

Other News

Asia

“Lloyd J. Austin III, the American defense secretary, became the first high-ranking official in the Biden administration to travel to a region that has long received close attention from Beijing.”

Cambodia

“Construction of Thai Boon Roong Group’s ambitious more-than-$3-billion twin commercial skyscraper project in central Phnom Penh will begin when Covid-19 ends, according to Thai Boon Roong Architectural Co Ltd director Tous Saphoeun.

Slated to have a stunning total height of 567m, the 133-storey colossus will be Southeast Asia’s tallest building – standing 115m taller than the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur – and offer scenic views of the Cambodian capital.”

Indonesia

“A troubled road project bisecting forests and mountains in Indonesia’s northern Gorontalo province has not complied with environmental checks required by law, according to interviews with local officials, prosecutors and environmental researchers.”

Laos

Malaysia

Philippines

“The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it is scheduled to approve a $1.75-billion loan for the South Commuter Railway project, which will connect Tondo, Manila and Calamba, Laguna, by the fourth quarter.”

Singapore

Thailand

“Online forum argues that better policies and unique partnerships are needed to solve the dearth of parks in Bangkok.”

Vietnam

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