Comments for Future Southeast Asia

Comment on Future Southeast Asia Site News: June 2026 by James Clark

James Clark — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 01:07:44 +0000

In reply to Rich Hintz. Good idea for the Singapore bike rental. I am considering Southern Laos at the end of the year, and cycling around Don Det makes sense.

Comment on Future Southeast Asia Site News: June 2026 by Rich Hintz

Rich Hintz — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 15:27:27 +0000

When in SG you might want to take a spin on the rental pedal bikes there. I’ve been doing some lightweight exploring of the non traffic cycle routes.
I recommend you get something like a removable NiteIze phone handlebar mount, since the provided basket is pretty useless as a phone carrier. Strava and RidewithGPS have route suggestions.
Looking for a bike helmet suitable for travel. I found a bike rental place in Phnom Penh close to non crazy PP traffic, but was too lazy to get there from BKK1.
Don Det is great for biking with many rental outlets. Pakse, Banlung, Stung Treng, and Sen Monorom struck out because mostly my dumb pre trip planning.

Comment on Ho Chi Minh City Metro Concept Map (if Saigon had a subway like Shanghai) by James Clark

James Clark — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 01:48:18 +0000

In reply to Que Lam. Thanks, yes I keep saying that I hope I see these lines in my lifetime!

Comment on Ho Chi Minh City Metro Concept Map (if Saigon had a subway like Shanghai) by Que Lam

Que Lam — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 06:07:22 +0000

Very interesting job you did! Today june 2026, only line 2 has started. All the other lines remains planned or announced, but nothing has really started yet. I hope I will still be alive when all metro lines will be finished

Comment on Bonifacio Global City – The Singapore of Manila, or the Manhattan of Asia? by Douglas

Douglas — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 05:57:58 +0000

In reply to James Clark.

PH has invested in electrical/semiconductor manufacturing/OFWs plus call centres (the latter under attack from AI). Not so easy for VN or TH to do some of that work due to language issues.

No doubt you saw numerous jeepneys during yr time in Manila..:-). Easy to build and lots of reliable diesels to power them/fix.

There is a move to phase them out and replace with e-jeepneys.

https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/gadgets/2024/07/02/2366262/jeepney-vs-e-jeepney-specs-and-features

https://pia.gov.ph/news/phs-first-e-jeepney-factory-opens-in-batangas/

I went to the Philippine Motor Show in Manila a couple of weeks back and Vinfast had a big stand – but the well-off want Euro/JP/KR cars and CN has got the market sewn up for every one else, so I can’t see PH business people trying to take on those other companies (ditto for Africa, South America etc)

As it happens, I then called a taxi to get home and one of those little green taxis turned up. Very nice to ride in (at least for 35-45 mins!).

(And as you know, Vinfast has been having a tough time in car manufacturing….)

Comment on Bonifacio Global City – The Singapore of Manila, or the Manhattan of Asia? by James Clark

James Clark — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 05:14:15 +0000

In reply to Douglas. Thanks for the comment, much appreciated! I had not seen that Vietnam comparison article, though I have noticed the PH v VN debate in Philippine Facebook groups. Seeing the Vinfast Green SM taxis everywhere has people asking why the Philippines can't build homegrown electric vehicles. I saw that LRT1 article, and it is maddening!

Comment on Bonifacio Global City – The Singapore of Manila, or the Manhattan of Asia? by Douglas

Douglas — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 03:59:49 +0000

Hi James,

Kiwi here currently working on an education project about 45mins south of BGC, and go there occasionally.

I have also worked in VN and other parts of SEA in recent years, so have been interested in your stories from the region (and as an ex-geography teacher I have a particular interest in your posts!)

Serendipitously, there are two stories from today’s PH news may be of interest to you:

a) https://opinion.inquirer.net/192473/comparing-vietnam-and-the-philippines

b) https://www.philstar.com/nation/2026/06/15/2535217/ombudsman-probes-villars-lrt-1-meddling

(Powerful husband and wife senators want to change the route of the LRT so it passes their land)

The oligarchs of the PH means that joined up thinking (of the type you suggest) won’t be happening here anytime soon.

There’s a lot to be said for the Chinese/VN approach when it comes to infrastructure….and ofcs PH has the added issue of it’s archpelagic makeup (ditto for Indonesia).

Comment on Redeveloping the old Vang Vieng CIA airstrip into “The City That Never Sleeps” by David Astley

David Astley — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:17:56 +0000

Many travellers love Vang Vieng because it is raw, scenic, and budget-friendly. This proposed development is undoubtedly to attract wealthier tourists from China but by changing the nature of the destination from something that is unique to something that you can find all over Asia risks alienating the backpackers will simply stop going. If Vang Vieng loses its quiet, natural feel, why will the wealthier tourists want to stay there when they can see and do more in Luang Prabang or Vientiane? My gut feeling is that this project has the potential to become another Boten which had similar objectives to become a new tourism hub but ended up becoming a ghost town.

Comment on Thailand’s mediocre master plan for rail development by Alistair Nicoll

Alistair Nicoll — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 09:26:19 +0000

I have previously said much the same as you. Personally I was staggered to see the junction where the north bound Lop Buri bypass diverges with a brand new station at which no trains are scheduled to stop and several Klms of unnecessary parallel running and about 5 minutes added to my local train journey as it negotiated its way to the old northern route.

Will be interested to see what others have to say

Comment on Four Thousand Islands New Area: The Sithandone SEZ in Southern Laos by Bob Schiff

Bob Schiff — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 11:33:29 +0000

In reply to robert chow. Thank you for your bravery. I only hope your good deed is able to stop the destruction of such a beautiful natural area.