‘New Gambir’ long-distance train station in Central Jakarta, Loke challenges ECRL to start operations this December, NSCR project on track as third 8-car trainset arrives, Thai–China rail keeps 2030 target despite 34.5-point lag, investment for Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong railway.

News

🇰🇭 Cambodia

• History of Cambodia’s railway system: from colonial rails to modern revival [Cambodianess]

🇮🇩 Indonesia

• KAI prepares ‘New Gambir’, a long-distance train station in Central Jakarta [VOI]

“PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) or KAI is preparing a transformation of Gambir Station through the New Gambir concept. This development is aimed at strengthening the position of Gambir as a gateway for Long Distance Trains (KAJJ) as well as being a node of connectivity for various public transportation modes in central Jakarta.”

• Whoosh set for September govt takeover [The Star]

“The Finance Ministry will conclude in September its takeover of the local consortium in the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail (HSR), which operates under the brand name Whoosh, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa has indicated.”

• Indonesia’s Whoosh train records 99.4% on-time rate in H1 2026 [Tempo]

• Whoosh and the next phase of Java’s railway planning (1): a tale of two problems [TheStance]

“The lesson from Whoosh should not be reduced to “do not expand until the debt is solved”. Equally, it would be wrong to assume that expanding the network will somehow make the existing debt problem disappear.”

• Whoosh and the next phase of Java’s railway planning (2): plan before building [TheStance]

“Java continues to urbanize rapidly. Potential railway corridors will become increasingly expensive and difficult to acquire. Indonesia should therefore identify and protect strategic rights-of-way long before construction begins.”

• Save up to USD 84 on Whoosh trips between Jakarta and Bandung [RRI]

“Indonesia’s high-speed rail company, Kereta Cepat Indonesia China (KCIC), is offering the Frequent Whoosher Card (FWC) to regular passengers on the Jakarta-Bandung route, allowing them to save up to IDR1.5 million (USD 84) on travel costs. Announced on Friday, 7 August 2026, the FWC JaBan Gold is priced at IDR2 million (USD 112) for 10 Premium Economy class trips, valid for 60 days.”

• KAI records 405,814 international tourist passengers in Indonesia through July 2026 [Tempo]

“Indonesia state-owned railway agency, PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI), recorded 405,814 international tourist passengers between January and July 2026. This figure represents a 3.86 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025, when the number stood at 390,745.”

 🇱🇦 Laos

• China-Laos Railway cargo transport exceeds 90 mln tonnes [Global Times]

• Laos, Kazakhstan seek new railway links to expand trade [The Laotian Times]

 🇲🇾 Malaysia

• Loke challenges ECRL to start operations this December [New Straits Times]

“Transport Minister Anthony Loke has challenged Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) and China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) to bring forward the East Coast Rail Link’s opening to early December 2026, ahead of the previously targeted January 2027.”

• Butterworth-Kulim Railway among 14 high-impact projects in Penang State Structure Plan 2040 draft [The Edge Malaysia]

• Selangor next big rail bet, eyes 2060 finish [New Straits Times]

“Selangor is still weighing development and financing options for a proposed rail network as the state seeks to improve connectivity between industrial areas, communities and major transport hubs.”

• Six new railway halts in Sabah to open in October [New Straits Times]

🇲🇲 Myanmar

• Thayezay-Taungpyone train service resumes [Global New Light Of Myanmar]

• Yangon–Toegyaunggalay–Dagon University train service to operate daily from September 1 [Eleven Media Group]

• Pyin Oo Lwin–Goteik train services to resume [OneNews]

🇵🇭 Philippines

• NSCR project on track as third 8-car trainset arrives [Philippine News Agency]

“The third eight-car Electric Multiple Unit trainset for the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) has arrived in the Philippines.”

• PNR trains repeatedly ‘derailed’ by floodwaters, landslides [TESSDrive]

🇹🇭 Thailand

• Cabinet approves double-track rail expansion [Bangkok Post]

“The cabinet has approved six railway projects under the second phase of double-track expansion, with three southern line projects receiving full funding worth 106.7 billion baht.”

• Thai–China rail keeps 2030 target despite 34.5-point lag [The Nation]

“Phase 1 of the Thai–Chinese high-speed rail project is 34.509 percentage points behind its cumulative construction plan, although the Transport Ministry is retaining its target of opening the Bangkok–Nakhon Ratchasima route in 2030.”

• First look at Saraburi high-speed rail station, gateway to the Northeast [The Nation]

• No easy way out of three-airport rail deal, says Anutin [Bangkok Post]

“Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul says he expects there will be no easy road for a CP Group-led consortium to exit the dormant three-airport rail project by terminating the deal.”

• Thailand advances two regional rail routes into design [The Nation]

“The SRT board approved the procurement of detailed-design and environmental impact assessment consultancy services for the Nakhon Sawan–Ban Phai railway and the Chatturat–Chaiyaphum–Nong Bua Lamphu double-track line on August 11, 2026.”

• Dept eyes 74km Suphan Buri-Ayutthaya rail link [Bangkok Post]

“A new 73.8-kilometre railway linking Suphan Buri with Ban Phachi in Ayutthaya is being developed to close a missing link and improve freight connections.”

🇻🇳 Vietnam

• Investment for Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong railway project raised to 11.05 billion USD [VietnamPlus]

“The railway was initially approved in February 2025 with an estimated investment of 203.2 trillion VND. The higher figure reflects more detailed calculations at the feasibility study stage, updated construction costs, material prices and compensation and resettlement policies through 2026.”

• Proposal to invest 2,900 billion VND in upgrading the Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh City railway line. [Vietnam vn]

“The first phase of the Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City railway line upgrade and capacity improvement project, upon completion, will contribute to resolving bottlenecks, improving throughput, shortening travel time, and increasing the efficiency of the line’s operation.”

• Four major railway development projects call for foreign investment in 2026-2030 [VietnamPlus]

“The projects include Bien Hoa – Vung Tau route; Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho – Ca Mau route, Mu Gia – Vung Ang route, and Thap Cham – Da Lat route.”

• USD5.6 billion Hanoi-Quang Ninh high-speed railway’s five stations revealed [DTI News]

• Vietnam-China rail link prioritised to boost trade [VietnamPlus]

“The Vietnamese Government is prioritising resources for the planned Hai Phong-Ha Long-Mong Cai railway, which is expected to connect with China’s Fangchenggang-Dongxing railway, helping strengthen strategic cross-border transport between the two countries.”

• Vietnam Railways transforms into Vietnam National Railway Group [SGGP]

“Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) officially transformed into the Vietnam National Railway Group on August 11.”

• “World Heritage Journey” tourist train linking Phong Nha, Hue launched [SGGP]

“On the morning of August 28, Vietnam National Railway Group (VNR), in collaboration with Quang Tri Province and Hue City, launched the “Phong Nha – Ancient Capital of Hue: World Heritage Journey” tourist train at Dong Hoi Station.”

• Can Tho seeks 80-km rail link to Tran De Port [DTI News]

“Can Tho has proposed an 80-kilometre dedicated railway linking the planned HCM City-Can Tho line with Tran De Port, aiming to strengthen logistics and reduce transport costs across the Mekong Delta.”

• Vietnam Railways takes delivery of new locomotives capable of 120 km/h [SGGP]

• Train ticket sales for Tet 2027 start August 30 [SGGP]

• Train travel in Vietnam: now and the future [Cheapest Destinations Blog]

• The 90th anniversary of the Transindochinois (North-South railway line), September-October 2026 [Historic Vietnam]