Greetings from Bangkok. I returned to Thailand from Laos via the First Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge. This bridge opened in 1994, and it was funded by the Australian government as development aid for Laos. I was reminded of this fact by a sign at the bus park while waiting to cross the bridge.

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A post shared by James Clark ✈️ (@nomadicnotes)

Development aid and Australia in Southeast Asia are subjects I have been thinking about this week. Australia elected a new government last month, and the new foreign minister has been travelling around Asia Pacific to strengthen ties with our neighbours.

Penny Wong was born in Malaysia, and she is leaning into her heritage of being a Southeast Asian-Australian while on her first official visit to the region.

The Australian government said it would increase spending in the region, so we shall see if that converts into infrastructure projects that will be featured on this site.

For the record, the largest overseas assistance project undertaken by the Australian government was the Mỹ Thuận Bridge in the Mekong Delta.

As an Australian, I always notice when there is a project by Australian Aid. It’s hard to miss I suppose with a logo that jumps out at you like this…

In Vientiane, the most prominent aid logo is now from China.

This week’s posts are two articles about Vientiane. The Vientiane construction update includes a big hospital project funded by China Aid, in addition to some new hotels being built in the capital.

I also created a new page for the That Luang SEZ project in Vientiane. This project was in the news last year for its controversial plan for a 100-metre high Buddha statue. The images of what they have planned for this area reminded me of West Lake in Hangzhou, China.

Latest Posts At Future Southeast Asia

Vientiane construction update – 2022 edition

That Luang Lake SEZ – Vientiane Laos

This is what Vientiane might look like in 2030…

• In addition to these new posts, I have also updated the Future Vientiane page.

News

• Japan's economic clout wanes in Southeast Asia

• The luxury of Asia’s malls is no substitute for genuine public spaces

“The story of the Lembah Beringin township which earned the reputation of being “one of the worst failed developments in Selangor” is far from over.”

• Historic Fort Cornwallis in Penang revived to former glory

🇵🇭 Philippines

• 4 rail projects a go

“The Mindanao Railway Project (MRP) and three more rail projects in the pipeline will likely be pursued by the next administration, according to Department of Transportation.”