Southeast Asia Railways Report – 2023 edition

Railways that are planned or under construction in Southeast Asia (2023).

This is the second edition of the Southeast Asia Railways Report. This article lists projects under construction or that have been in the news over the last year. This list is for national railways, and there will be another post for urban transit railways.

There is an ongoing list of future railways, and here is the 2022 edition. For regular news updates, subscribe to the newsletter.

Cambodia

There have been numerous announcements over the last year of new and improved railways in Cambodia. While such announcements are often wishful thinking said out aloud, there has been serious interest shown by China.

The new Prime Minister of Cambodia met with the Chairman of the Board of China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) and talked about a railway system covering the whole country.

Phnom Penh – Sihanoukville

At the end of 2022, it was reported that a study for a high-speed railway was “nearing completion”. In July, a study was underway for the Phnom Penh-S’ville high-speed rail.

These reports refer to it as a high-speed railway, but then go on to say it is 160km/h, which is semi-high-speed. The articles also mention it being a conversion project, as if they would just upgrade the current track. This would be a completely new electric railway on a standard gauge.

Phnom Penh – Poipet

A feasibility study for the rebuilding of the line from Phnom Penh to Poipet on the Thai border was submitted to the government on January 24.

Phnom Penh – Siem Reap

A Phnom Penh – Siem Reap railway has been included in the news stories mentioning new railways, though the priority is on upgrading the Poipet – Phnom Penh – Sihanoukville corridor.

Phnom Penh – Bavet

A feasibility study is planned for a railway to the Vietnam border, which would form part of the Phnom Penh – HCMC Railway. Vietnam has not made any recent plans to study this, so don’t expect this to happen anytime soon.

Phnom Penh-Preah Vihear province

A railway from Cambodia to Southern Laos appears on older development maps, and the idea was floated again this year with a “high-speed rail” between Cambodia and Laos:

“Prime Minister Hun Sen added that the two countries also agreed to connect Champasak province with Preah Vihear province and with Ratanakkiri province in between.”

Indonesia

Java High-speed Railway

The big news in Southeast Asia railways was the opening of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway. With a top travel speed of 350 km/h, this is by far the fastest train in Southeast Asia.

Focus has now shifted to extending the railway to Surabaya.

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