Introducing southeastasiarailways.com, Laos–Vietnam railway construction to begin in 2026, KL–JB ETS3 debuts with four-hour journey, Thailand three-airport high-speed rail hit by fresh delay, Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong railway project breaks ground. Welcome to the January 2026 edition of Southeast Asia Railway News! I started the year in style by getting the train from Phnom Penh to […]
Train Review: Lop Buri to Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) Commuter No. 304
Train 304 from Lop Buri to Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) is a commuter train service with 3rd class seats. This train stops at more stations than the express services. Train 304 departs from the old Lop Buri station in the city centre. I took this trip in December 2025, a few days after Lop Buri 2 […]
Southeast Asia Railways News (December 2025)
Proposed high-speed railway to East Java’s Banyuwangi (and Bali?), 4th anniversary of the Laos-China Railway, KL to JB ETS, Muse-Mandalay Railway, elevated Lopburi 2 Station opens, planning continues for Vietnam high-speed railway, Lao Cai to Hanoi train review. News 🇮🇩 Indonesia • President Prabowo calls for railway infra development outside of Java [Antara News] • […]
Southeast Asia Railways News (November 2025)
Introducing Rail Vietnam, high-speed rail debt must not delay Jakarta-Surabaya expansion, Pasir Mas-Rantau Panjang railway restoration, Thailand plans U-Tapao–Trat high-speed rail, Hanoi-Ha Long railway proposal. Hello from Sapa in the mountains of Northwest Vietnam. I got the bus here from Hanoi, which seems like a weird thing to admit on a rail site, but there […]
Southeast Asia Railways News (October 2025)
Malaysia’s vision to encircle Borneo by rail, Laos planning railways to Vietnam and Savannakhet and Champasack, South Long Haul Rail Project in the Philippines, Thailand high-speed rail delays, proposed line from HCMC to Vietnam-Cambodia border. View at https://southeastasiarailways.beehiiv.com/p/october-2025
Southeast Asia Railways News (September 2025)
Indonesia pushes ahead with Jakarta–Surabaya high-speed rail plan, ETS3 debuts on KL-Kluang route, rehabilitation of Laguna-Bicol train route, Thailand and Malaysia to revive Bangkok-Butterworth rail link, Vietnam North–South high-speed rail construction planned for December. View at https://southeastasiarailways.beehiiv.com/p/september-2025
Southeast Asia Railways News (August 2025)
Indonesia eyes US$53 B in private rail investments to expand national network, China-Laos Railway doubles daily cross-border passenger services, ECRL marks new milestone with Genting Tunnel breakthrough (set to be longest rail tunnel in Southeast Asia), Lucena-Calamba rail service resumes, timeline of Vietnam’s North-South high-speed railway project. View at https://southeastasiarailways.beehiiv.com/p/august-2025
Southeast Asia Railways News (July 2025)
Whoosh high-speed rail hits 10-million passenger mark, Laos-China Railway tickets can now be bought 7 days in advance, China pushes for Muse-Mandalay-Kyaukphyu railway, PNR set to revive Bicol-Quezon trips, JB-Woodlands train to end in 2027, Thai Cabinet to approve ‘3 Airports High-Speed Rail’ contract, 5 firms eye Vietnam’s North-South bullet train project. View at https://southeastasiarailways.beehiiv.com/p/july-2025
Southeast Asia Railways News (June 2025)
Jakarta-Surabaya high-speed train project still on, Mindanao rail project, Thailand eastern line rail tourism, private companies pitch for Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City high-speed railway. View at https://southeastasiarailways.beehiiv.com/p/june-2025
Southeast Asia Railways News (May 2025)
Cambodia’s railway network to expand to China, return of KL-Bangkok direct train considered, new railways for Northeast Thailand proposed, construction of Lao Cai – Ha Noi – Hai Phong railway to start in December 2025. View at https://southeastasiarailways.beehiiv.com/p/may-2025
