Nakhon Ratchasima LRT System
Nakhon Ratchasima LRT System
China-Laos railway updates, New Bicol International Airport, a proposed bridge for Koh Chang, and more construction and transport news in Southeast Asia.
The big news in Laos this week is the arrival of the first passenger train for the China-Laos Railway. The railway is still scheduled to be launched on 2 December (Lao National Day), but with Covid-19 cases increasing there will be no passenger services yet. As mentioned in the news section below, the line will start with freight services first. This makes more sense to get the bugs out of the system with freight trains first.
Here is a short clip of the first train being transported from China. I suspect there will be lots of coverage about this, and the lead up to the first freight train.
The China-Laos railway will eventually be met by the Bangkok–Nong Khai high-speed railway. The first section to be built will be from Bangkok to Nakhon Ratchasima, which would put Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) within commuter distance of Bangkok.
This week’s article looks at a proposed tramway for Korat. There hasn’t been much news about this project, but I found a video that shows the route, along with some images of what the stations might look like. There have been three lines proposed overall.
Latest Posts At Future Southeast Asia
Nakhon Ratchasima Transit – The Green Line Tram Project
The Nakhon Ratchasima Mass Transit Project is a proposed tramway in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat), Thailand. The first line (Green Line) is an 11.17 KM tram with 21 stations.
Updated Posts
Indonesia
Rp510 billion allocated for first construction stage of new capital
Added to New Capital City of Indonesia
“It is urgent for President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to personally raise the issue of the problematic Jakarta-Bandung high-speed train project with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Group of 20 Summit in Rome on Oct. 30-31, for the sake of the countries’ bilateral ties and for the interest of China’s global credibility.”
Added to Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway
Laos
Completed Vientiane Station on track for Laos-China railway opening
"Constructed over some 14,543 square meters in Xay Village, Xaythany District, Vientiane Capital Station will be the largest station along the railway, with three platforms and five track lines."
Laos-China railway to open for freight transport before allowing passengers
Lao villagers not yet paid for land lost to China-backed high-speed rail project
Added to China-Laos railway
Malaysia
ECRL project slightly behind schedule due to MCO — transport minister
Added to East Coast Rail Link
Standing up to defend Penang’s fishing community
Added to Penang South Islands
Other News
Countries have $385 billion in ‘hidden debts’ to China, study finds
“Beijing’s lending to low- and middle-income countries is provided on less generous terms than loans from other lenders and multinational creditors.”
Cambodia
Heavy rainfall filling capital’s drain canals as flood threat looms
The great Koh Kong land rush: Areas stripped of protection by Cambodian gov’t being bought up
“A man far ahead of his time, Vann Molyvann was a talented 30 year-old architect who in the late 1950s was entrusted with the keys to the kingdom by Norodom Sihanouk.”
Indonesia
Indonesia gov’t appeals Jakarta air pollution verdict
Laos
Vietnam-Laos expressway under consideration
“The proposed expressway would link the cities of Hanoi in Vietnam with Vientiane in Laos, providing an improved international transport route for South East Asia.”
Laos shifts gears on electric vehicle promotion
“The Government of Laos has issued a new policy to promote electric vehicles which it hopes will help minimize fuel imports and reduce emissions in the country.”
Malaysia
Govt studying viability of KL-Bangkok HSR project
Philippines
New Bicol International Airport opens after 11-year construction
Hitachi Rail asked to submit proposal for Malolos-Tutuban E&M, track works
Tomas and Dino squabble anew over BRT
“Former Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and Presidential Assistant to the Visayas, Secretary Michael Dino are once again at odds over the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project of the city, blaming each other over the project’s delay.”
“The controversy over the construction of an expressway along the Pasig River has brought forward the frustrated dreams of local urban planners.”
Singapore
How Singapore's $50 billion financial district will change after Covid-19
“Making the area more liveable was already a priority. Hybrid working has made it even more urgent.”
Is Singapore a dementia nation? The fight to save our surliest buildings says yes.
“The demolition of Pearl Bank Apartments was the straw that broke the camel’s back for modern heritage advocates in Singapore. The private residential building, finished in 1976 and demolished in 2020, was a fixture of post-independence Singapore.”
Thailand
Full steam ahead for canal makeover
“The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is continuing with its plan to improve the condition of the city’s canals and their adjacent surroundings.”
Koh Chang bridge build set for nod
This is the abandoned tower in Pattaya (featured in Future Pattaya).
Vietnam
HCMC to build million low-cost homes for workers
Vietnam’s hidden debts to China expose its political risks
Is this hotel purposefully misleading guests about its colonial history and heritage?
A report on the JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa (featured in Future Phu Quoc).
Con Dao airport off southern Vietnam to be upgraded to serve large aircraft