Indonesia targets 10,524 km railway network expansion, new train service links Johor Bahru Sentral to Pasir Gudang, Philippines weighs return to China for stalled Mindanao railway, State Railway gets first Thai-made coach, HCMC – Can Tho railway details.

News

🇮🇩 Indonesia

• Indonesia targets 10,524 km railway network expansion [Tempo]

“The Ministry of Transportation is targeting the development of a national railway network spanning 10,524 kilometers, expanding from the current 6,927 kilometers of active rail lines across Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi, and Papua.”

• Indonesia’s state railway operator prepares full transition to B50 [Antara News]

“State-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) is finalizing operational adjustments to transition its entire fleet to B50 biodiesel fuel ahead of the government’s mandatory nationwide rollout set for July 1, 2026.”

• Prabowo orders overhaul of Gambir Station [Tempo]

“According to Teddy, the renovation of the station, located in the iconic National Monument (Monas) area, is slated for completion within two years. Gambir Station is expected to offer seamless multimodal integration, including direct links with the commuter line (KRL) network.”

• China says fast train debt talks with Indonesia on ‘right track’ [Jakarta Globe]

• Nearly 90 percent of rail accidents linked to ignored barriers [RRI]

 🇱🇦 Laos

• Laos joins East-West Rail Corridor stretching from Southeast Asia to Europe [The Laotian Times]

“At the OSJD Ministerial Conference, from 9 to 12 June, Laos agreed to a new rail framework allowing exporters to move goods from Vientiane through China, Central Asia, and Russia to Europe under one system.”

• Baggage, parcel transport services launched on Lao section of China-Laos Railway [Xinhua]

 🇲🇾 Malaysia

• New train service links Johor Bahru Sentral to Pasir Gudang, Kulai [The Straits Times]

“The Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) Shuttle Selatan, running on train tracks previously used only for freight, links commuters from JB Sentral to the two urban centres. The Kulai district is home to key destinations such as Senai Airport and Johor Premium Outlets.”

• Why diesel? Anthony Loke defends Shuttle Selatan choice to avoid years of waiting [Malay Mail]

“Loke was addressing public concerns regarding the use of diesel trains, explaining that the choice was based on a critical timeline. With the Gemas-Johor Bahru Electrified Double Tracking project now complete, the Electric Train Service (ETS) has taken over the primary route, leaving the previous diesel fleet available.”

• No official ECRL fares yet, says MRL [New Straits Times]

“Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd has clarified that the East Coast Rail Link fare rates circulating on social media are speculative and do not reflect the actual charges.”

• Railway union opposes plans to privatise management, maintenance [FMT]

“The railway workers union is objecting to Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd’s (KTMB) plans to privatise the management and maintenance of the country’s rail network.”

• How Malaysia’s railway culture left this British trainspotter speechless [Says]

“Francis Bourgeois travelled from Kelantan’s Jungle Railway to Penang’s Lunar New Year celebrations, meeting Malaysian train enthusiasts along the way.”

🇲🇲 Myanmar

• Railroaded: China pushes regime to complete rail project ($) [Frontier Myanmar]

“Long-delayed plans to build a railway from Muse to Kyaukphyu have picked up steam since the beginning of the year under pressure from China, but many observers question whether Myanmar will benefit from the project.”

• Myanmar Railways warns of legal action against social media train ticket booking services [Eleven Media]

“Yangon-Myanmar Railways has announced that it will take legal action against individuals or organisations advertising train ticket booking services for a fee through social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Telegram, and Viber.”

• Historic Letpadan, Thayawady railway stations to be restored [Myanmar Digital News]

• Inspection of repair works: Kachin State CM inspected repair works of railway [Myanmar International TV]

• Bago CM inspects development works along Thayawady-Pyay railway line [Myanmar Digital News]

🇵🇭 Philippines

• Philippines weighs return to China for stalled Mindanao railway [Manila Bulletin]

“The development of the long-delayed Mindanao Railway Project (MRP) could soon return to China’s hands, as the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) courts one of Beijing’s state-owned construction firms to build the railway.”

🇹🇭 Thailand

• CP funding setback puts EEC high-speed rail contract at risk [The Nation]

“Thailand’s long-delayed high-speed rail project linking Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao airports faces a critical decision, as the State Railway of Thailand prepares to ask the Eastern Economic Corridor Policy Committee to decide whether the joint-investment contract should be revised or brought to an end.”

• Chiang Rai tunnel construction accident kills two, seriously injures three [Thai PBS World]

“The accident occurred inside the 3.4km Doi Luang Tunnel, part of the State Railway of Thailand’s (SRT) Den Chai–Chiang Rai–Chiang Khong railway project. The tunnel is being built to connect Den Chai district in Phrae province with the border district of Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai province.”

• State Railway gets first Thai-made coach [Bangkok Post]

“Thailand’s first locally developed passenger rail coach has been handed over to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), marking a step towards putting home-grown rail technology into practical use and reducing reliance on imported coaches.”

• Historic policy shift as Thailand unlocks state rail network to private operators [The Nation]

“In a milestone shift for Southeast Asian transport policy, the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) and the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) have officially opened the country’s railway infrastructure to private sector competition.”

• Luxury train plan takes step forward [Bangkok Post]

“The Transport Ministry is pushing ahead with plans to upgrade the rail transport and tourism sectors by developing a world-class luxury train service, leveraging newly enacted rail legislation to attract private-sector investment and boost local economies.”

• SRT opens booking for nine rainy-season rail trips across Thailand [The Nation]

“SRT will open bookings on June 30 for nine rainy-season train trips from July to September, featuring KIHA 183 and SRT Royal Blossom.”

• More rail services to Malaysia sought [Bangkok Post]

“Growing demand for rail travel between southern Thailand and Malaysia has prompted calls for the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to double the number of daily train services between Hat Yai Junction and Padang Besar, as cross-border tourism continues to expand rapidly.”

• A nostalgic steam train journey from Bangkok to historic Ayutthaya [The Nation]

• Sunken train station on infamous WWII ‘Death Railway’ resurfaces from Thailand reservoir [AP]

• Thai third-class train ride becomes Chinese social media hotspot [Thai PBS World]

“With a fare of just five baht and a journey of less than half an hour, the Chiang Mai–Lamphun train ride has become a hit with Chinese tourists, mostly women, seeking scenic views and photogenic content for their social media.”

🇻🇳 Vietnam

• Phase 1 of the Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho railway is a single-track line with a speed limit of 160 km/h [Vietnamvn]
“Based on research, the My Thuan Project Management Board proposed that the Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho railway, phase 1, be a single track with a design speed of 160 km/h for transporting both passengers and goods.”

• Vietnam’s $7.8bn railway project delayed despite early construction [VietNamnet]

“Vietnam’s Railway Project Management Board has provided the latest update on the Lao Cai-Ha Noi-Hai Phong railway, confirming that while construction has begun on several components, the overall project is currently behind schedule.”

• Relocation of Hà Nội Station requires thorough assessment: Deputy PM [Viet Nam News]

“The historic Hà Nội Station in the central city is proposed to be relocated to Ngọc Hồi area, about 14km to the south of its current location, as part of the National Route 1A expansion project.”

• First charter train departs Vinh for Dieu Tri with 365 tourists [DTI News]

• Heritage trains unlock Viet Nam’s railway tourism potential [Nhan Dan]

“Viet Nam’s heritage trains are turning ordinary journeys into cultural experiences. With music, cuisine and storytelling woven into the rhythm of the rails, these services are redefining tourism by offering travellers not just a destination, but an encounter with the nation’s landscapes and people.”