Greetings from Australia! I’m back in my homeland for a short visit, and I will be returning to Southeast Asia next month to resume research trips for Future Southeast Asia.

Travel update

Instead of getting a direct flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Melbourne, I flew to KL so I could try out the new electric railway service from Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru.

SGN to KUL is one of my most flown routes. It was a bit of a gamble to fly on the last weekend of the Lunar New Year, and normally, I would avoid air travel at this time.

It took 40 minutes to clear immigration and security at SGN, which was fast considering the overflowing queue. It still baffles me that there isn’t a separate queue for Vietnamese and foreign passports.

KUL can also be bad on holidays, so I was prepared for the worst. The worst thing about the budget terminal is how narrow the walkways are, despite it being a massive terminal.

[Cramped space of KUL T2]

The good news is that there are now e-gates for select passports. Even with a big queue, I was out in 5 minutes. This makes a huge difference in your spirits by not having to queue for an hour. There are no passport stamps, but considering my last passport was retired early due to repeat visits, I am happy to save pages.

[Passports eligible for e-gates at KUL.]

The best feature of KUL is the airport train, which is the best in Southeast Asia. I hope that the new airport for Ho Chi Minh City (Long Thanh International Airport) will have gates and an express airport rail link.

[Onboard the KL Ekspres.]

The electric train from KL to JB is a great improvement over the old diesel service that used to operate on this line.

From JB, I got the shuttle train to Woodlands in Singapore, and then the MRT to central Singapore. The new electric train makes the trip faster, but it is still a hassle with three different trains to get to Singapore. I will have a review of the new train service coming up.

I flew out of Singapore, and there is currently an exhibition at the airport for the Terminal 5 project (T5 In the Making Exhibition). It’s worth a visit if you are at the airport and have time. The exhibition includes a display model, and I counted 75 airbridges.

[Model of T5 Changi Airport.]

Here is the Changi Airport T5 project page.

Future Southeast Asia Site update

I’m still in the process of transferring the newsletter from news.futuresoutheastasia.com to futuresoutheastasia.com. One of the issues has been that I have been using the old WordPress system at futuresoutheastasia.com. I can only use the newsletter service with the new WordPress editor (which is years old now). The good news is that I can add more features to the site by using the new editor.

Once everything is migrated, I can start tinkering with site design. I was reading this article about making maps with AI tools, which required using the current WordPress editor. This list migration will enable me to add new features to the site.

Weekly news

The weekly newsletter is now posted at futuresoutheastasia.com for paid subscribers. Upgrade to Premium to get the monthly newsletter.

Upgrade To Premium

Here are the last month’s issues of the weekly newsletter:

• Future Southeast Asia News [25 Feb 2026]

Revised Penang LRT, Metro Cebu Subway feasibility study in Oct 2026, first Thai-built light rail tram begins test runs in Khon Kaen, new passenger terminal for Dili Airport, HCMC plans 99-story tower for international financial center in Thu Thiem.

• Future Southeast Asia News [18 Feb 2026]

Indonesia to use state budget to repay Whoosh high-speed rail debt, Savannakhet’s 270-meter wooden bridge faces final season, Malaysia’s new rail system stages preview run, Thai–Chinese high-speed rail phase 1 hits 51%, Vietnam proposes expressway link between Ho Chi Minh City and Phnom Penh.

• Future Southeast Asia News [11 Feb 2026]

Public parks in Phnom Penh, MRT East-West corridor to strengthen Jakarta as global city, redevelopment project in George Town heritage area, Myanmar opens Dala Bridge, demo run of Metro Manila Subway set on 2028, JB-Singapore RTS Link arrives at Woodlands North, Don Mueang-Suvarnabhumi expansion, Da Nang maps out MRT/LRT lines in urban railway network.

• Future Southeast Asia News [4 Feb 2026]

Construction firms push back Funan Techo Canal construction, Nusantara is not a ghost town, KL must safeguard its green spaces, reviving the Mindanao railway project, Singapore MRT Circle Line 6 extension, Suvarnabhumi Airport expansion, Phu Quoc launches $2.6B mega hotel projects for APEC 2027.

Article updates

Here are some articles that have been updated this month.

The Thai Land Bridge proposal lives on (for now)

Updated: Why the Thai Land Bridge is a bad idea

There was an election in Thailand this month, which usually brings out the most extravagant infrastructure proposals. The Thai Land Bridge is still being supported by the government, and there has been some news about it.

I updated my article on why the Thai Land Bridge is a bad idea to include possible freight train lengths. I found this article about the longest freight train in India:

“Indian Railways launched the ‘Rudrastra’ freight train in 2025, which is said to be the longest freight train in Asia. The train stretches nearly 4.5 kilometres with 354 wagons and is powered by seven locomotives. That equals 708 TEU per train, so a ship with 14,000 TEU would need 20 trains that can haul 354 40-foot containers at a time.”

This is just for one container ship, so imagine how many trains are needed to service several container ships a day in each direction.

Vientiane’s short-lived BRT

Updated: Vientiane BRT – Urban Transit System

Asian Development Bank urges faster infrastructure delivery as Vientiane’s Bus Rapid Transit system stalls

“The BRT initially launched as a free trial during November’s That Luang Festival but has since entered an indefinite suspension, with no official timeline for resumption.”

The BRT runs down the main north-south road in the city, and it involves dedicated lanes for the BRT. There are not enough roads for cross-town traffic in Vientiane, so I couldn’t see how it was going to work.

When the Udon Thani to Vientiane train service was announced, it didn’t seem like a service that would attract many passengers. I rode it not long after it opened, and the service was discontinued shortly thereafter.

I felt that the BRT service would not last long either, so I wanted to see it in action before it closed. Unfortunately, it closed before I could visit.

Line 2 of the Ho Chi Minh City Metro (HCMC Metro) is the under-construction second line of the Ho Chi Minh City transit system.

Phase 1 will go from Ben Thanh Station (interchanging with Line 1) to Tham Luong. The total length is 11.3 km (9.3 km underground and 2 km elevated) with 11 stations (10 underground stations and 01 elevated station).

Work initially began in 2015 on an office building at the depot, but no work began on construction of the railway. The project has been delayed by slow land clearance, a lost consultant, and funding issues regarding loans.

Construction for Line 2 officially broke ground on 15 January 2026, and the completion date for Phase 1 has been set for 2030.

Phase 2 will extend the line at both ends from Ben Thanh to Thu Thiem and Tan Binh to An Suong Bus Station (the bus terminal for Tay Ninh). The total length of the 2 sections is 9.1 km (including 4.2 km underground and 4.9 km elevated) with 9 stations (6 underground stations and 3 elevated stations).

Thu Thiem is where the terminal station of the future North-South Express Railway will be located. Thu Thiem is also the location of the planned Thu Thiem – Long Thanh Light Rail.

Phase 3 will extend the line from An Suong Bus Station to Tay Bac Urban Area in Cu Chi District. Total length of 28 km (elevated) with 22 elevated stations.

The total length of Line 2 from Tay Bac Urban Area to Thu Thiem is 48 km with 42 stations.

Line 2 HCMC Metro maps

Land clearance complete, work underway for HCMC’s 2nd metro line – [11/03/25]
“Land clearance for Ho Chi Minh City’s second metro line, connecting Ben Thanh and Tham Luong, has been completed, paving the way for groundbreaking later this year.”

[Line 2 map by MAUR.]

[Line 2 stations (Phase 1 and 2) map by MAUR.]

[Map by tuoitrenews.vn.]

Links and resources

maur.hochiminhcity.gov.vn/web/en/metro-line-2 – Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR).

Sustainable Urban Transport for Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 2 Project [PDF]
Draft Initial Environmental Examination – Prepared by the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City for the Asian Development Bank (July 2013)

Ho Chi Minh City Urban Mass Rapid Transit Line 2 – PFR 2: Tham Luong Depot to Ben Thanh Station (Draft) [PDF]
Environmental Impact Assessments | February 2012.

Wikipedia: Line 2, Ho Chi Minh City Metro

News archive

2026

HCM City to break ground on Ben Thanh-Thu Thiem metro before April 20 – [28/02/26]

HCMC entrusts Thaco with feasibility study for Ben Thanh–Thu Thiem metro – [26/01/26]

Massive tunnel-boring robot to begin work on Ho Chi Minh City’s Metro Line 2 – [25/01/26]

Ho Chi Minh City breaks ground on second metro line after 16 years delay – [15/01/26]

2025

Transit-Oriented Development to be implemented at Metro Line 2’s stations – [10/12/25]
“The HCMC People’s Committee on December 9 announced that Vice Chairman Bui Xuan Cuong signed a decision to create a plan for developing Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) zones at the stations along Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh – Tham Luong).”

Ho Chi Minh City proposes raising 2nd metro line budget to $2B – [18/11/25]

HCMC finalizes the groundbreaking of Metro Line 2 on January 15, 2026 – [10/11/25]

HCMC wants to break ground on Metro Line 2 within this year – [04/11/25]
“The Management Authority for Urban Railways of HCMC (MAUR) has launched a 60-day campaign to fast-track key tasks needed to begin work on Metro Line 2 before the end of this year.”

HCMC narrows key roundabout to clear path for 2nd metro line – [11/10/25]
“One of largest intersections in Ho Chi Minh City’s central area, the Dan Chu Roundabout, is being temporarily narrowed to make space for the Ben Thanh – Tham Luong metro line construction.”

HCMC finds new consultant for 2nd metro line, construction imminent – [09/09/25]
“The Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR), which manages all metro projects in the city, has approved a bid by a consortium comprising Guangzhou Metro Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd. (China), Southern Transport Design Consultancy JSC, Port & Seafield Engineering Design Consulting JSC, and ARTELIA SAS worth VND175 billion (US$6.6 million).”

Ho Chi Minh City accelerates infrastructure relocation to facilitate metro line No. 2 groundbreaking – [14/07/25]
“Underground infrastructure relocation for Ho Chi Minh City’s metro line No. 2 is around 60 percent complete and is being fast-tracked to ensure its sod-cutting takes place in December as scheduled, according to the city’s Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR).”

Vietnam-China consortium proposes participation in Ho Chi Minh City metro projects – [09/07/25]
“A consortium including Deo Ca Group and Fecon from Vietnam and PowerChina Group and SUCG International Engineering Co. Ltd. from China has proposed taking part in developing metro line No. 2 and other urban railway projects in Ho Chi Minh City.”

Vietnam halts use of German Development Bank’s ODA for metro line No. 2 in Ho Chi Minh City – [08/07/25]

THACO eyes metro line No. 2 in Ho Chi Minh City, rail link to Long Thanh airport – [01/07/25]

Major corporations eye HCMC’s metro line projects – [06/06/25]
“DCH wants to study and invest in three key railway lines – Metro Line No. 2 (Ben Thanh – Tham Luong), the Thu Thiem – Long Thanh railway line, and the Binh Duong New City – Suoi Tien line.”

HCMC risks breaking the schedule for the Metro line worth over 2 billion USD connecting 6 districts – [02/06/25]
“Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh – Tham Luong) is more than 11km long, passing through 6 districts 1, 3, 10, 12, Tan Binh and Tan Phu, facing the risk of missing the start date at the end of 2025.”

HCMC’s metro line No.2 shifted to public investment capital – [05/05/25]

Ho Chi Minh City’s metro line No. 2 to break ground in December 2025 – [27/03/25]
“The second metro system is designed to span 11.3 kilometers, including 9.3 kilometers of underground railway and two kilometers of elevated track.”

MAUR proposes urgent capital allocation for metro projects – [26/03/25]
“Regarding metro line 2, the Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) on March 25 submitted a proposal on the emergence of a number of contracts of the four main packages to the municipal People’s Committee.”

HCM City to auction 26ha of land for TOD along second metro line – [12/03/25]
“HCM City plans to auction a 26-hectare site in Tân Phú District this year to facilitate Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) linked to its second metro line, which connects Bến Thành Market in District 1 to Tham Lương Depot in District 12.”

Ho Chi Minh City to fund Metro Line 2 with nearly $1.9 billion from state budget – [11/03/25]

Work on HCMC’s 2nd metro line set for December – [04/03/25]
“Construction for Ho Chi Minh City’s second metro line, the Ben Thanh – Tham Luong route, is set to begin in December, as the city aims to expand its metro network to 335 kilometers over the next decade.”

Metro Line 2 in Ho Chi Minh City projected to start construction in 2026 – [05/02/25]
“Land compensation and clearance procedures for the Metro Line 2 project have been completed, with 99 per cent of the cleared land ready for construction.”

Problems with capital and unit prices at metro line 2 in Ho Chi Minh City – [13/01/25]
“Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh – Tham Luong) in Ho Chi Minh City has 99% of the site cleared, but construction cannot begin in 2025 because the budget has not been allocated and there are problems related to the unit prices of the bid packages.”

2024

HCMC to enforce land clearance at final household delaying metro line construction – [04/12/24]

Metro Line 2 in Ho Chi Minh City unexpectedly switches from ODA capital to budget – [25/11/24]
“Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh – Tham Luong) was approved by the Party Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee to be implemented using budget capital, instead of using ODA loans.”

Current status of 3 golden lands along Metro Line 2 will become new urban areas in Ho Chi Minh City – [19/11/24]
“Along Metro Line 2, there will be three prime lands planned according to the urban development model associated with public transport (TOD), including: Area C30 located between District 10 and Tan Binh District; Exhibition and Sports Center of Tan Binh District and Block I/82A Tay Thanh, Tan Phu District.”

Metro Line 2 in Ho Chi Minh City faces major obstacles before construction begins – [03/11/24]
“Metro Line 2 has an investment of nearly 47,900 billion VND, expected to start construction in 2025, but faces many obstacles in capital, consulting, site clearance, and infrastructure relocation.”

Cleared site to be handed over for Ho Chi Minh City’s second metro project in June – [10/06/24]
“An entire cleared site will be handed over for the execution of the second metro line project in Ho Chi Minh City in June as work on land clearance is 95 percent complete.”

Relocation, felling of 453 trees proposed for Ho Chi Minh City’s 2nd metro construction – [18/04/24]

HCM City to develop three more metro lines valued at over US$5 billion – [06/04/24]
“Metro line No.2 will be 5.8km long with six underground stations that stretches from the city centre to the Thu Thiem new urban area. The project will cost approximately US$1.3 billion sourced from Korean ODA loans.

MAUR said it has worked with the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM) on the possibility of financing the project. During a meeting with KEXIM in March 2024, the city leadership gave opinions on receiving non-refundable ODA capital for the project.”

Ho Chi Minh City’s metro line No. 2 office proposed for lease amid 30-employee occupancy – [31/03/24]
“The Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR) has been seeking the municipal administration’s permission to lease part of a seven-story office building intended for metro line No. 2 that currently houses a mere 30 employees.”

[The seven-story office building in District 12, Ho Chi Minh City intended for metro line No. 2.]

Second HCMC metro line site clearance nears completion – [13/03/24]
“An additional 57 houses affected by the Ben Thanh – Tham Luong metro line have been fully compensated, which means 90% of the site needed for the project has been cleared.”

HCMC relocating underground utilities for 2nd metro – [20/02/24]
“With contractor selection completed, the relocation of electricity and water systems has begun to make way for the construction of Ho Chi Minh City’s new metro line No. 2.”

Vietnam business hub breaks ground on Metro Line 2 – [19/02/24]
“Ho Chi Minh City has broken ground on a second metro line, after spending more than a decade building the first, as Vietnam makes a renewed push to convince investors that infrastructure is a priority.

The $2 billion project got underway on Saturday, the Management Authority for Urban Railways said, five months before the motorbike-clogged city plans to open its first metro line. Work on the project comes as the city strains to catch up to the rest of the region, where even latecomer Jakarta has already put trains into service.”

Metro line 2’s technical works continuously implemented after Tet holidays – [17/02/24]
“The HCMC Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR) on February 17 held a ceremony to return to work on the project construction of the HCMC’s Metro Line No.2 after the Tet holidays.”

2023

Planned completion of Ho Chi Minh City’s second metro line pushed back 4 years – [18/10/23]
“The administration in Ho Chi Minh City has adjusted the deadline for the completion of the second metro line to 2030 instead of 2026.

Any problems in the project, linking Ben Thanh Market in District 1 and Tham Luong Depot in District 12, will be fixed between 2030 and 2032, according to the city’s decision.”

Ho Chi Minh City publicizes first artist’s impressions of $2bn metro line No. 2 – [26/06/23]
“The Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) has publicized an artist’s impressions of the second metro line project in the city, linking Ben Thanh Market in District 1 and Tham Luong Depot in District 12.”

A look at the design of HCMC’s second metro line – [25/06/23]
“The Ben Thanh – Tham Luong metro line will have nine stations underground and one elevated station, all with a modern design.”

Utilities construction begins for second HCMC metro line – [23/06/23]
“The Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for utilities construction serving Ho Chi Minh City’s second metro line (Ben Thanh-Tham Luong).”

Ho Chi Minh City’s second metro line rescheduled for completion by 2030 – [18/04/23]
“The expected completion of Ho Chi Minh City’s second metro line project has been delayed to 2030 from 2026, according to a decision signed by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang.”

PM agrees to extend Ben Thanh-Tham Luong metro line project – [17/04/23]
“The prime minister has agreed to push back the completion date of the Metro Line No. 2, aka Ben Thanh-Tham Luong, from 2026 to the end of 2030, plus two more years to 2032 to fix any problems.”

HCMC’s second metro line pushed back 4 years – [17/04/23]
“The government has approved the delay of HCMC metro line No. 2 to give the city time to find a new consultant.

The Ben Thanh-Tham Luong line is now scheduled to be “basically completed” in 2030 instead of 2026, with the official opening in 2032, according to a decision by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang.”

Construction of metro line No.2 expected to start in 2025 – [09/03/23]
“It is expected that in 2025, the Metro Line No. 2 project will start construction, said the Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR).”

2022

HCMC’s 2nd metro line awaits construction 12 years since approval – [17/10/22]
“Approved in 2010, Ho Chi Minh City’s metro line No.2 is stuck at site clearance, with its deadline sought to be rescheduled to 2030.”

Ho Chi Minh City’s second metro fails to get off ground as loan contracts expire – [05/10/22]
“Ho Chi Minh City’s second metro line project is getting into a rut left by the city’s first metro line project as loan contracts for it expire while construction has yet to start.”

Vietnamese group Deoca, foreign partners aim to build railways in HCMC, Laos – [10/07/22]
“Deoca Group is working with foreign partners to study construction of Ho Chi Minh City’s Metro Line 2 and a railway connecting Vung Ang Economic Zone in central Vietnam to Vientiane.”

HCMC’s 2nd metro construction delayed as consultant quits – [07/06/22]
“The former consultant, a consortium of three German companies and a Swiss and Vietnamese firm, ended the independent consultant (IC) agreement contract with the MAUR in March after both sides failed to agree on an appendix for renewal.”

Consultant for HCMC’s 2nd metro line ends contract over fee dispute – [04/04/22]
“The consortium of three German companies and a Swiss and Vietnamese company said it has ended the independent consultant (IC) agreement contract after it and the HCMC Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) could not agree on an appendix for renewal.”

Completion schedule of HCM City Metro Line No.2 extended to 2030 – [02/03/22]
“Ho Chi Minh City’s Metro Line No.2 (Ben Thanh-Tham Luong) is scheduled to complete in 2030 instead of 2026 as previously planned, according to the city Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR).”

HCM City metro rail developer seeks to speed up work on line No 2 – [21/02/22]
“The HCM City Management Authority for Urban Railways has called for the Ministry of Transport to persuade the administration of HCM City’s District 12 to quickly complete the land acquisition, compensation payment and resettlement of households to enable the construction of metro line No 2.”

HCM City plans to start construction of Metro Line No. 2 this year – [14/01/22]
“Ho Chi Minh City will begin construction of Metro Line No. 2 in 2022, according to the municipal Department of Transport.”

Land clearing plans for HCMC’s second metro line stuck in limbo – [06/01/22]
“Unapproved land price coefficient for HCMC’s District 3 and issues regarding relocation compensation have left plans to clear the land for the city’s second metro line to gather dust.”

2021

Ho Chi Minh City Metro 2021 construction update – [24/08/23]
The Future Southeast Asia construction report.

Construction on second metro line to begin in late 2021 – [05/07/21]
“Land acquisition, compensation payments and resettlement for affected households should be completed by the end of July so that construction on Ho Chi Minh City’s second metro line can begin, city officials have said.”

Lands for Saigon’s 2nd metro line to be fully acquired this year – [18/06/21]
“After missing several deadlines, land acquisition for HCMC’s metro line No.2 is now expected to be completed by the end of this year.

In a letter sent recently to the city administration, the HCMC Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) said 78 percent of the land has been acquired already, and it would continue with the task to complete it by year end.”

HCMC to replace second metro line consultant – [04/06/21]
“HCMC has decided to end cooperation with the primary consultant for metro line No. 2 after failing to reach agreement on renewing an independent consultant contract.”

Saigon metro line investor slammed for failure to renew consultant pact – [16/03/21]
“The HCMC administration has “severely criticized” the investor of metro line No.2 for failing to renew an independent consultant contract in time for the project to proceed.”

Work on Saigon’s 2nd metro line to begin next year – [14/03/21]
“Work on HCMC’s second metro line is expected to start in mid-2022, with land clearance for the project set to be completed this year.

450 of 603 affected families in six districts have handed over their land for the Ben Thanh-Tham Luong metro route, accounting for over 74 percent of the plan, the city’s vice chairman, Le Hoa Binh, said in a report sent to the Ministry of Investment and Planning about the progress of the project.”

Work on Saigon’s 2nd metro line scheduled to begin this year – [04/03/21]
“Land acquisition for HCMC’s second metro line is being expedited to enable construction to start in the fourth quarter of this year.

According to the HCMC Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR), which oversees construction of the Ben Thanh – Tham Luong route, 461 out of 603 households in six districts who have to relocate have done so.”

Construction delays push Saigon metro consultancy price tag up – [04/01/21]
“The consultancy price tag for the second metro line in HCMC has risen by nearly 29 percent following eight years of delays.

The HCMC Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) said it has not concluded negotiations with an unidentified foreign consultancy for resumption of work on the Ben Thanh – Tham Luong line.”

2020

Saigon’s second metro line at risk of capital delays – [28/12/20]
“A $500 million plus loan agreement for Saigon’s second metro line expires in three days with the project lacking a key prerequisite, an independent consultant.

In a document issued Sunday, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong urged the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee to re-mobilize an independent consultant (IC) for the purpose.”

Saigon’s second metro line to miss land clearance deadline – [17/12/20]
“Problems with compensation policies and a lack of funds will prevent timely land clearance for the second metro line in HCMC.

According to the HCMC Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR), the main investor in the Ben Thanh – Tham Luong metro route, 450 of 603 affected families in six districts have handed over their land for the project, accounting for 75 percent of the plan.”

HCMC residents hand over prime land for second metro line – [28/11/20]
“Residents of HCMC’s District 1 have razed parts of their homes to make way for the Ben Thanh-Tham Luong metro line.”

Vietnam seeks $1 bln ADB loan for HCMC metro line – [26/08/20]
“The Vietnamese government has requested the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a $1 billion loan to build the second metro line in HCMC.

This loan application replaces the one for $390-million from the same bank that Vietnam canceled earlier this month for the Ben Thanh – Tham Luong metro route, or Metro Line 2, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR).”

Vietnam calls off $390mn loan from ADB for Saigon metro line – [24/08/20]

Vietnam cancels ADB loan for HCMC metro – [23/08/20]
“Vietnam has decided to cancel a $390-million loan from the Asian Development Bank meant to fund the second metro line in HCMC.

It reduces ADB funding for the Ben Thanh – Tham Luong metro route to $150 million.”

Saigon residents demolish houses for second metro line – [23/08/20]
“Residents of HCMC’s Tan Binh District are demolishing part of their homes to create space for the city’s Ben Thanh-Tham Luong metro line.”

Saigon metro line 2 land acquisition falls behind schedule – [26/06/20]
“Land acquisition for the second metro line in Saigon is falling behind schedule, and this could delay construction set to begin next year.

Some 40-50 percent of land in the six districts the Ben Thanh – Tham Luong metro route runs through has not been handed over yet though the deadline is June 30, director of the line, Le Van Khoa, said on Thursday.”

HCM City speeds up Metro 2 project ground clearance – [17/04/20]
“The HCM City authorities are speeding compensation in order to start the Metro Line 2 Project in October.”

2019

Site clearance for Saigon metro line 2 expected to finish in June 2020 – [05/11/19]

Vietnam approves increased funding for Saigon’s long-delayed metro lines – [5/1/19]

Saigon metro lines cost escalation cleared, construction not to stop – [25/10/19]

2018

Second metro line construction in HCMC may be postponed until 2020 – [07/11/18]
“Urban Railway Management Board in HCMC yesterday said that it has proposed the city’s People’s Committee to put off implementation time of the second metro line, Ben Thanh-Tham Luong, until December 13, 2020.”

2017

HCM City seeks another $800m as metro line 2 sees cost overrun – [21/11/17]
“HCM City has asked the Government for an additional US$800 million for the metro No 2 line from Bến Thành to Tham Lương to accommodate design changes and permission to delay completion until 2024.”

HCMC to extend Metro Line 2 – [26/09/17]
“HCM City is planning to extend Metro Line No 2 Ben Thanh – Tham Luong by 9.3 km.

An additional 5.9 km will link Ben Thanh in District 1 and Thu Thiem Urban Area in District 2, while a 3.4 km section will run from Tham Luong to An Suong Coach Station in District 12.”

Saigon’s second metro line held up by seven-year delay – [12/09/17]
“Under the new schedule, the city may have to wait another decade before the line is up and running.

Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have asked the prime minister for permission to push back the construction of its second metro line to 2020.”

HCMC metro project cost spike to worsen public debt – [09/09/17]
“Several ministries have expressed concern that the Metro Line No. 2 project in HCMC might make the country’s public debt soar as its cost has surged to about US$2.15 billion from the originally planned US$1.3 billion.”

HCMC speeds up progress of Metro No.2 route – [26/08/17]
“Deputy Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Tran Vinh Tuyen yesterday chaired the meeting with the Ho Chi Minh urban railway management board and Asia Development Bank of the construction progress and implementation of Ben Thanh-Tham Luong Metro route No.2 project.”

2016

City seeks investors for Metro project – [29/11/16]
“HCM City is seeking US$1.9 billion for the second phase of metro line No 5, which extends from the new Can Giuoc Bus Station in District 8 to the Bay Hien intersection in Tan Binh District.”

2015

Saigon may chop down 150-year-old trees in Tao Dan Park for Metro Line 2 – [19/10/15]
“Tao Dan Park, the green lung of downtown District 1, is about to get a little smaller, as the city’s People’s Committee may soon approve a plan to repurpose 2,100 square meters of the space for metro construction.”

$1.3bn metro line project, 2nd in Ho Chi Minh City, breaks ground – [16/01/15]
“The Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board on Thursday kicked off the first bid package of phase 1 of a US$1.3 billion metro project, which is the second in Ho Chi Minh City.”

“Under the bid package the Hoa Binh Real Estate Construction and Trading Joint Stock Company, the project’s contractor, yesterday started work on an office building and its sub-works on a 22 hectare area at the Tham Luong railway station in District 12.”

2013

ADB gives $500 mln loan to HCMC metro project – [05/07/13]
“Yesterday the Asia Development Bank (ADB) and the State Bank of Vietnam signed an agreement in which the ADB will grant a US$500 million loan, the second of its kind, to the second line of the metro project in Ho Chi Minh City.”

$2-bln metro line construction plan in HCMC complete – [06/12/13]
“The longest metro system in Ho Chi Minh City, linking District 2 and the Cu Chi District, will be constructed in years to come for an estimated US$2 billion. On Thursday, the HCMC Urban Railway Management Board reported that it has completed the drafting of a project to build an aboveground metro line in the city. The line will run from the Northwestern Cu Chi Urban Area along National Highway 22 to An Suong Coach Station and through such streets as Truong Chinh, Cach Mang Thang Tam, Pham Hong Thai, and Le Lai before reaching the Ben Thanh Market in District 1 and ending at the Thu Thiem New Urban Area in District 2.”

2010

Ho Chi Minh City Urban Mass Rapid Transit Line 2 Investment Program – [November 2010]
Reports and recommendations of the president.

The Mekong Delta Railway is a planned railway from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho. This guide covers ongoing updates of this line and other proposed railways in the Mekong Delta.

Map of Mekong Delta and proposed railway stations

This map includes possible stations on the Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho railway, and other stations mentioned in this guide.

[Map of Mekong Delta and proposed railway stations.]

Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho Railway

There is currently no railway operating in the Mekong Delta region, though there was a railway that ran from Saigon to My Tho from 1885 to 1958. The line was beset with difficulties throughout its operation and it was never extended to Can Tho. Read the full history of the Saigon-My Tho railway.

[Saigon – My Tho Railway.]

Plans to build a new railway to Can Tho were published in the mid 2000’s, and since then the cost, route, and start date have changed over the years.

Originally the railway was planned to begin at the current Saigon station in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City. There is no land reserved for a railway through the city, so this option would have been prohibitively expensive.

The preferred option was for the terminal station to the north of the city at Di An Station, in Binh Duong Province (part of Greater Ho Chi Minh City). There is a station here on the main north-south railway, so that would make it a useful junction. The railway would then travel to Binh Chanh District In the southwest corner of HCMC and continue to My Tho and Can Tho. This route totals 173 km with 14 stations.

A revised route was proposed to reduce costs that would start the railway at Binh Chanh instead, bring the total length to 134 km.

The railway would run on a double-tracked standard gauge electric railway. Passenger trains would run at 200km/h, and freight trains would have a speed of 120 km/h. At that speed the journey from Saigon to Can Tho would be about 45 minutes, but you would also need to account getting from central Saigon to the terminal station. Phase 2 of Line 3A of the HCMC Metro would be extended to Binh Chanh, providing a direct metro connection to Ben Thanh central station.

The most recent update in 2019 estimated the cost at 10 billion dollars. It was also reported in 2019 that power plants were soon to be built to support the line. There have been no status updates since.

Other Railways

Can Tho – Ca Mau

The HCMC – Can Tho Railway has been proposed to be extended to Ca Mau.

Can Tho – Phnom Penh

A Can Tho – Phnom Penh railway was proposed in 2015 as part of a greater Mekong railway that would be included in the HCMC-Can Tho railway. The plan even suggested extending the line to Siem Reap, though at this point we can leave that section for Cambodia Railways.

The proposal makes the third route alternative for a Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh railway. The first route is the most direct option, travelling via the current Moc Bai/Bavet border crossing. The second route option is along the defunct rubber line that went to Loc Ninh on the Cambodian border.

A Can Tho – Phnom Penh railway would then provide a new domestic railway along the Hau River from Can Tho to Long Xuyen and Chau Doc.

If these railways were to be built then Can Tho would become a lively little railway hub deep in the Mekong Delta. On my Ho Chi Minh City Metro Concept Map I also made a map of a future Ho Chi Minh City Metropolitan Area and Mekong Delta railway system.

[Southern Vietnam and Cambodia Railways Concept Map. View full size here. ]

News archive

Ongoing news updates about railway projects in the Mekong Delta.

2026

Vietnam ministry orders careful review of $9bn Ho Chi Minh City-Can Tho railway project – [24/02/26]

Private group proposes $10B railway linking Ho Chi Minh City to Vietnam’s southern tip – [27/01/26]
“A private group has proposed a 280 km railway linking Ho Chi Minh City with Can Tho and Ca Mau, connecting Vietnam’s largest city with the Mekong Delta and the country’s southernmost point.”

Vietnam to build $1.1B bridge to connect key Mekong Delta expressways – [01/01/26]
“Vietnam is preparing to build Can Tho 2, a major road-and-rail bridge across the Hau River with an investment of more than US$1.1 billion, with construction expected to start in late 2026 and take about five years to finish.”

2025

Vietnamese firm proposes $12bn Ho Chi Minh City–Can Tho–Ca Mau railway project – [12/10/25]

HCMC–Can Tho Railway proposed to start construction in 2027 – [06/10/25]
“The My Thuan Project Management Board has submitted a pre-feasibility study report for the Ho Chi Minh City–Can Tho railway project, proposing to begin construction in 2027 and put the line into operation by 2035.”

HCMC promotes key railway projects to boost regional connectivity – [03/10/25]
“The HCM City – Can Tho line is expected to serve as a crucial link for transporting goods and agricultural products from the Mekong Delta to industrial centers and international seaports.”

Proposal to build a fast railway line connecting the center of Ho Chi Minh City to Cai Mep, Bau Bang, Can Tho – [06/08/25]
“Becamex Group proposed building a fast railway line connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Cai Mep, Bau Bang and Can Tho, which would save up to 2.2 billion USD in logistics costs.”

Early investment in HCM City-Can Tho high-speed rail project requested by voters – [14/07/25]
“The Ministry of Construction has announced its support for a proposal from voters in the Mekong Delta province of Can Tho for accelerating the projected high-speed railway project that connects Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) with Can Tho.”

Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho Railway will submit a pre-feasibility report in September – [13/07/25]

My Thuan Project Management Board speeds up progress of HCMC–Can Tho Railway – [24/06/25]
“A consortium of consultants is currently finalizing the pre-feasibility study, which is expected to be submitted to the Ministry of Construction by mid-July 2025.”

Transit-oriented focus the right strategy – [03/05/25]
“The Ho Chi Minh City-Can Tho railway project will help create transit-oriented development for provinces and cities along the route. NAI Vietnam’s research and investment director Tran Nhat Quang, along with research head Cao Nhat Nam, look at how railway stations can become mixed-use urban centres, develop logistics, and enable the Mekong Delta to grow.”

Prime Minister: Try to start construction of Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho high-speed railway in 2027 – [21/04/25]
“Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh concluded: Try to start the construction of the Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho high-speed railway in 2027 and continue from Can Tho to Ca Mau in 2028 by different methods.”

S Korea’s giant developer eyes urban area projects in southern Vietnam – [13/04/25]
“During a working session with local authorities on Thursday, Park Jin Hong, counselor for construction and transportation at the South Korean Embassy in Hanoi, expressed the Korean side’s interest in industrial park and new urban area projects, as well as the proposed Ho Chi Minh City-Can Tho railway project.”

Việt Nam considers 174-kilometre railway linking HCM City, Cần Thơ – [19/03/25]
“The Ministry of Construction is preparing a pre-feasibility report on the railway project, which will be submitted to relevant authorities for approval.”

Vietnam plans high-speed rail expansion to the Mekong Delta – [11/03/25]
“A proposed 174 km high-speed rail link from Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho is under review, aiming to enhance connectivity and boost regional development before 2030.”

MoT aims to start HCM City-Can Tho railway construction before 2030 – [24/02/25]

Construction on HCMC–Can Tho high-speed railway expected to kick off before 2030 – [19/02/25]

Ministry to evaluate pre-feasibility study report on HCMC-Can Tho railway – [06/02/25]
“Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang has just signed Decision No. 115/QD – BGTVT on establishing an internal appraisal council for the pre-feasibility study report on the construction of a railway route from HCMC to the Mekong Delta hub of Can Tho.”

2024

HCMC-Can Tho railway needs over US$9 billion of investment – [16/12/24]
“The consortium of consultants TEDI SOUTH – TRICC – TEDI has conducted the implementation of the draft pre-feasibility study report on the Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho high-speed railway project.”

Gov’t mulls over Ho Chi Minh City-Can Tho railway project – [15/12/24]

HCMC – Can Tho Railway worth over 9 billion USD to start construction before 2030 – [15/10/24]
“The Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho railway project is over 175km long, with a capital of over 9 billion USD, passing through 6 localities, expected to start construction before 2030 and operate from 2035.”

World Bank to lend $11B to Vietnam over next 5 years – [27/05/24]
“…lending to large and transformative projects such as Hanoi’s metro (Van Cao – Lang Hoa Lac section), the Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho railway, clean energy plants, and the one-million-hectares of high-quality rice initiative.”

Ministry to evaluate pre-feasibility study report on HCMC-Can Tho railway – [06/02/24]
“Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang has just signed Decision No. 115/QD – BGTVT on establishing an internal appraisal council for the pre-feasibility study report on the construction of a railway route from HCMC to the Mekong Delta hub of Can Tho.”

HCMC-Can Tho high-speed railway project needs careful feasibility study – [13/01/24]

Expectations of Ho Chi Minh City high-speed railway – [09/01/24]
“CT Group has just sent the Government a proposal to implement the Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho high-speed railway line according to the public-private partnership (PPP) method.”

USD9.98 billion proposed for HCM City-Can Tho railway route – [04/01/24]
“Under the group’s proposal sent to the government, the railway route would be 174 kilometres long and have 12 stations, running HCM City, Can Tho City and the provinces of Binh Duong, Long An, Tien Giang and Vinh Long. It will transport both passengers and goods.”

HCMC firm wants to build $10B high-speed rail to Can Tho – [03/01/24]
“CT Group has proposed to invest US$9.98 billion in a high-speed railway between Ho Chi Minh City and Mekong Delta’s capital Can Tho City.”

2023

Approval of HCMC – Can Tho railway expected before 2025 – [20/06/23]

Government prioritizes high-speed railway in Mekong Delta – [15/05/23]

HCMC-Can Tho railway direction adjustment proposed – [13/04/23]
“The Institute for Regional and Urban Studies (IRUS) has proposed building the HCMC-Can Tho rail line along the HCMC Beltway No. 3 to optimize land use and cut costs.”

[A map shows the directions of the HCMC beltway network. The red line indicates the Beltway No. 3 planned direction, whereas the green line represents the Beltway No. 2.]

Ministry accelerates proposed HCMC-Can Tho high-speed railway plans – [16/03/23]

Thorough research required for HCMC-Can Tho railway project – [16/03/23]

Mekong Delta region in need of railway line – [16/02/23]

PM calls for focus on developing railroad network – [27/01/23]
“The PM said Thursday that the preparations would start with the section between Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho City in the Mekong Delta.

The section will run 174km through Binh Duong, Long An, Tien Giang, and Vinh Long Provinces, according to the feasibility study that the Railway Project Management Board submitted to the Ministry of Transport earlier this month.”

Some $9bn needed for Ho Chi Minh City-Can Tho express railway project – [08/01/23]

Proposed investment capital for HCMC-Can Tho railway at US$9 billion – [08/01/23]
“According to preliminary calculations, the Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho railway line, with a total length of 174.42km, has a total investment of about US$9 billion, equivalent to VND213.95 trillion.”

2022

Master plan for Mekong Delta focuses on infrastructure development – [03/10/22]
“Along with the development of expressways, experts also stressed the need to soon form a high-speed railway connecting Ho Chi Minh City – Vietnam’s largest economic hub – with the Mekong Delta, thereby improving freight transport capacity in the region.”

Nostalgia for historical Saigon-My Tho railway – [04/09/22]

HCMC – Can Tho railway project set to cost over US$7 bln – [18/06/22]
“Reporting at the meeting, the joint venture consultant contractor Tedi-Tricc-Tedisouth said that the project would be constructed with a double-track railway with a track gauge of 1,435 millimeters and the designed speeds for passenger train of around 190 kilometers per hour and the freight train of 120 kilometers per hour.”

Express railway through HCMC likely to be elevated – [18/06/22]
“The 33-kilometer express rail section that runs through Ho Chi Minh City, operated by the HCMC-Can Tho railway project, is proposed to be elevated for ease of implementation.”

Ho Chi Minh City-Can Tho High-speed Railway to boost development – [07/06/22]
“CT Group – with its desire to invest in traffic infrastructure and particularly a high-speed train to the Mekong Delta – shared information about this projectat the Workshop on Clearing Highways and Promoting the Advantages of the Mekong Delta on May 31.”

High-speed railway connecting HCMC and Can Tho contributes to the West’s “makeover” – [04/06/22]

Economist underlines railway necessity for Mekong Delta development – [31/05/22]

PM orders sped-up launch of HCMC-Mekong Delta railway – [21/05/22]

Construction of HCMC – Can Tho railway line proposed – [18/05/22]
“The Ministry of Transport, on May 17, informed that the Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho railway project, with a total investment of about US$7 billion, has been prepared for a pre-feasibility study.”

Can Tho wants rail link with HCMC to be kicked off before 2030 – [13/05/22]

Hồ Chí Minh – Cần Thơ railway route project passed – [18/03/22]

2021

VN’s HCMC-Can Tho high-speed railway to further development – [08/11/21]

Pre-feasibility study for HCM City – Cần Thơ high-speed rail commissioned – [08/03/21]

5 km, $200 mln could be cut for high-speed HCMC-Mekong Delta rail – [23/01/21]
“The route will then run from Tan Kien station in HCMC’s Binh Chanh District, which borders Long An Province, to Cai Rang District in Can Tho City, the capital of the Mekong Delta.”

MAUR to carry out pre-feasibility study report on HCMC-Can Tho railway project – [14/01/21]
“The Ministry of Transport on January 13 delegated the HCMC Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) to build the pre-feasibility study report on the construction of a railway route from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta hub of Can Tho which is among the middle-term plans for public investment in the 2021-2025 period.”

2020

quyhoachdbscl.vn/documents/59/link REPORT: Mekong Delta Integrated Regional Plan – [16/11/20]
“There is currently no railway network in the Mekong Delta. There are external proposals for a railway to be developed between HCMC and Can Tho, with a possible extension to Ca Mau and Long Xuyen. Can Tho has the intention to develop rail-based city public transport (e.g. metro) and other cities could connect to this system in the future. Soc Trang and Bac Lieu Provinces are also considering railway connections in relation to the proposed development of any deep-sea port.”

2019

HCMC-Can Tho high speed train to cost $10 billion – [26/07/19]
“The route from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest metropolis, and Can Tho, the Mekong Delta’s economic hub, is to run 173 kilometers through four provinces – the industrial hub Binh Duong, and the Mekong Delta’s major economic drivers Long An, Tien Giang and Vinh Long.”

“…the project would use double rails and 1,435mm gauge, which is the standard for high-speed rails in the world. The train would have a speed of around 200 kilometers per hour.”

Experts call for high-speed HCM City – Can Tho railway to ease delta congestion – [23/02/19]
“A high-speed rail route between HCM City and Can Tho was approved by the Ministry of Transport in 2013. It will be 140km long and have nine stations, and passenger trains will run at 200km/h and freight trains at 120km/h.”

“The project would be key to fostering the delta’s economic development, especially if the route is extended to the southernmost province of Ca Mau”.

First power plant for HCMC-Can Tho express railway project to kick off in April – [27/02/19]
“Work will start in April on one of nine power plants serving the HCMC-Can Tho high-speed railway project, Thanh Nien Online newspaper reported, citing Ha Ngoc Truong, head of the Metro-Railway Division of the HCMC University of Transport and the express railway project.”

“…seven waste-to-energy plants will be built at seven stations along the railway and two solar power plants will be set up at the first station called Tan Kien in HCMC and the terminus (Cai Cui station in Can Tho City)”.

Experts call for high-speed HCM City – Can Tho railway to ease delta congestion – [23/02/19]

2018

HCMC proposes adjusting HCMC-Can Tho express railway project – [24/09/18]
“…the railway was planned to be nearly 173,700 kilometers long with 14 stations, starting from An Binh station in Binh Duong Province and running through the urban areas of HCMC and four Mekong Delta provinces.

However, representatives of HCMC and four localities in the Mekong Delta region later agreed to the Southern Institute of Science and Technology’s proposal to reduce the route’s length to 139 kilometers, shortening the travel time between HCMC and Can Tho City to roughly 45 minutes. The railway would then run parallel with the HCMC-Trung Luong-My Thuan expressway.

The HCMC-Can Tho high-speed railway will stop at 10 stations, beginning at Tan Kien station in HCMC and running through stations in Long An, Tien Giang and Vinh Long provinces before ending at Cai Cui Port in Can Tho City.”

HCMC secures $5 billion from Canadian fund for Mekong Delta rail link – [08/03/18]
“Construction of a railway connecting Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong delta capital of Can Tho is expected to start later this year using nearly $5 billion from a Canadian investment fund, insiders said.”

2017

Vietnam mulls 45-minute Saigon-Can Tho train service – [18/07/17]

Vietnam mulls 45-minute Saigon-Can Tho train service – [17/07/17]
“A construction of a railway route from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta hub of Can Tho is being reviewed, which is expected to have positive contribution to the regional development if really launched.”

Revived rail link to hook up Saigon and the Mekong Delta – [06/07/17]
Video – “Saigon to Can Tho in just 45 minutes, for $3.6 billion.”

HCMC-Can Tho railway in the offing – [05/07/17]
“Cargo transport between HCMC, the country’s economic center, and the Mekong Delta will be significantly improved as the city government is pushing for a rail link with the delta.”

Ho Chi Minh City plans $3.6 billion rail connection with Mekong Delta – [02/07/17]
“Ho Chi Minh City is planning to build a rail link to Can Tho City in the Mekong Delta at an estimated cost of $3.6 billion.”

2015

China firm wants to build railway in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta hub – [14/03/15]
The railway would connect the Mekong Delta hub with Ho Chi Minh City and the Cambodian cities of Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, Kim Hak Min”. The China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) “has proposed building a 180km Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh City track, whereas the respective lengths of the services to Siem Riep and Phnom Penh are 320km and 243km”.

Railway strategy to 2020 approved – [11/03/15]
“The Prime Minister has approved a railway development strategy to 2020 and vision to 2050.”

“The railway sector will…research the building of new lines such as…Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho”.

2013

Vietnam’s new railway to link Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho City – [13/11/13]
The Vietnam Southern Institute of Science and Technology and US-based EDES group…signed an agreement to cooperate in building a railway route…connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Can Tho”.

“…the railway line will be 134 kilometers long. The train would depart from Tan Kien station in HCMC’s Binh Chanh District and go through three provinces including Long An, Tien Giang and Vinh Long before reaching Cai Rang station in Can Tho City.”

2009

Railway project mulled to link up HCMC and Can Tho – [10/08/09]
“The Transport Engineering and Design Inc. South (TEDI South) – a design company under the transport ministry, has proposed a plan for building a new express railway line linking HCMC and Can Tho City in the Mekong Delta.”

“The railway is expected to allow trains to reach a maximum speed of 300-350 kilometers per hour.”

“The main terminal in HCMC is planned either at the existing Hoa Hung Station in District 3 or Thu Thiem Station in District 2, before running through the city along the Doi and Te canals to Nguyen Van Linh Street in Binh Chanh District.”

2008

HCM City-Can Tho rail route to wrap up in 2020 – [02/10/08]
“A new railway line linking HCM City and the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Can Tho will become operational in 2020, under a major project initiated by the Ministry of Transport.”

2006

Sai Gon-My Tho railway restoration draws public concerns – [17/07/06]
“According to the Viet Nam Railways (VNR), the VND7,072-billion railway construction project will be launched in 2010 and finished in 2015.”

“The railway system is 87 kilometers in length, of which 56.5 kilometers from An Binh – Tan Kien are dual-track railroad and 30.5 kilometers from Tan Kien – My Tho single-track. Besides, the project’s designing unit also proposes the construction of another railway linking Hoa Hung Station with Tan Kien one.”

“The network starts from Song Than Station, adjacent to Song Than Industrial Zone, passing Ho Chi Minh City and the southern provinces of Binh Duong, Long An to the terminal in Tien Giang province.”

“In future, the railroad will be expanded 350 more kilometers from Can Tho to Ca Mau”.

2000

The study on the national transport development strategy in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (VITRANSS) [PDF] – [July 2000]
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Ministry of Transport, Socialist Republic of Vietnam (MOT)
Transport Development and Strategy Institute (TDSI)
2.3 Government Plan and Policy
(3) Investigation of new lines: HCM city to Vung Tau, HCM city to Can Tho, Thap Cham to Da Lat, Yen Bai to Tuyen Quang to Bac Thai, and others.

This is my annual Bangkok construction update, where I visit some of the most prominent construction projects around the city. I was in Bangkok in December 2025, and these are my notes on construction and transport in the city.

The Khon Kaen Transit System (KKTS) is a proposed light rail transit (LRT) and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Khon Kaen Khon in the Isaan region of Northeast Thailand.

A BRT system of 4 lines was proposed in 2012, and in 2015 the plan was changed to convert the North-South Red BRT line into a light rail line. In 2016 the Thai government approved the project, and in 2017 the Khon Kaen Transit System Co. established to operate the line.

The 22.6-kilometre Red Line will have 17 stations from Samran in the north to Tha Phra station in the south. The light rail line will be integrated with the high-speed railway station that will connect Bangkok to Vientiane and the China-Laos railway.

The light rail plan has been spearheaded by the Khon Kaen Think Tank (KKTT) Group – a local group of entrepreneurs that envisage Khon Kaen as a regional hub and smart city.

Khon Kaen is not a tourist city, so the group are looking to turn the city into a hub for meetings and events. Building a light rail would also make the city attractive as a place to live outside of Bangkok. In the future the group also plan to sell rail technology to other cities.

The city would also benefit as a railway hub if the proposed railway of the East West Economic Corridor is built. Khon Kaen would become a major crossroad city of Thailand, with direct railway connections to Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam.

Work on the light rail was due to begin at the end of 2018, but it is currently stalled and has not begun construction. It is not known if the other BRT lines would also be converted to LRT lines in the future.

Links and Resources

Transit Website: kkts.co.th
Developers: khonkaenthinktank.com
News: skyscrapercity.com

Images

[Khon Kaen Central Station interior]

[Khon Kaen Central Station.]

[Light rail at Khon Kaen Central Station.]

[LRT platforms.]

[Khon Kaen Station garden.]

[Khon Kaen Station and skywalk.]

[Khon Kaen Station.]

[Khon Kaen Station parking.]

[Khon Kaen University Station.]

[Kudkwang Station.]

[Sam Liam Intersection Station.]

[Prathu Muang Station (City Gate Station).]

[LRT at Central Plaza.]

News Archive

2026

First Thai-built light rail tram begins test runs in Khon Kaen – [19/02/26]
“Thailand’s first domestically designed and built light rail tram has begun test runs at Rajamangala University of Technology Isan (RMUTI), Khon Kaen campus, drawing widespread attention online.”

2024

Fire damages prototype tram in Khon Kaen vehicle yard – [01/07/24]

Work on light rail transit system in Khon Kaen expected to begin in 2025 – [03/03/24]
“A feasibility study on the 4.4 kilometres long project has been completed. Construction is expected to take about 2 years, requiring an investment of 650 million baht, with the service opening in 2027.”

2023

Thailand’s first urban rail network outside of Bangkok to be built from 2024 – [13/03/23]
“An ambitious plan to build Thailand’s first urban rail network outside of Bangkok will come to fruition in the north-eastern city of Khon Kaen. Work will begin in 2024 on a 26km light rail system to run through the city.”

2022

Khon Kaen to trial light rail network – [07/03/22]

2020

Khon Kaen rail gets S Korean guidance – [24/09/20]
“The Khon Kaen Smart Mobility plan, a blueprint for the light rail city train, is one of 12 projects where the South Korean government will offer consultation to help bring it in line with global transport city standards.”

2019

All aboard Thailand’s decentralization train – [21/04/19]
“A group of provincial entrepreneurs, academics and hoteliers in Khon Kaen are bypassing Bangkok to privately develop a light rail line.”

2018

Khon Kaen gears up electric rail project – [02/12/18]
“Publicly-funded scheme to offer 15 baht flat rate.”

Khon Kaen light rail plan set – [11/09/18]
“Private firms to be hired for construction.”

2017

‘Khon Kaen Model’ displays real promise – [13/12/17]
“The backbone of the Khon Kaen urban development plan is the construction of a 26-kilometre light rail transit line to solve traffic congestion and increase the value of real estate along the line.”

Citizens taking initiative in Khon Kaen – [01/09/17]
“A think tank formed by local entrepreneurs has propelled smart city plans for the northeastern province.”

Khon Kaen rail bids set for year end – [24/07/17]

2016

Khon Kaen Smart City (Phase:1) LRT North-South Line, infrastructure funds from private alternative urban development model for Thailand and beyond [PDF] – [29/09/16]
“Khon Kaen urban development (KKTT) Co,.Ltd. Associate with Khon Kaen University and 6 local Governments.”

2012

Khon Kaen transit map of 4 BRT lines, posted 17/02/12.

Happy Year of the Horse from Ho Chi Minh City! Here is this week’s roundup of transport and urban development news in Southeast Asia.

The Thai Land Bridge has been proposed as an alternative to the Thai Canal. Here’s why it’s a bad idea.

The Thai Land Bridge is a proposed transport corridor in Southern Thailand connecting the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand. The proposal is an alternative to the Thai Canal (also known as the Kra Canal), which is a centuries-old dream to cut a canal across the peninsula as a shortcut to the Strait of Malacca.

The land bridge plan is to ship containers across the peninsula from Ranong to Chumphon by rail and road, a distance of about 90 km. There is also a plan for a pipeline to transfer oil across the peninsula. Expanded deep-sea ports would be built at either end to accommodate ships.

This overland shortcut is supposed to save 3 or 4 days of sailing time compared to sailing via Singapore. These reports don’t seem to account for the labour and inconvenience involved in unloading and reloading ships for such a small gain.

I’ve put together this article explaining why Thailand’s land bridge project is a bad idea.

Shipping basics

Before we begin, I will introduce some of the basic things to know about shipping containers and modern container ships.

Container sizes

A modern shipping container is known as a twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU). Containers are standardised to the same size to fit any container ship. The dimensions of 1 TEU are:

Length: 20 ft (6.1 m)
Width: 8 ft (2.44 m)
Height: 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)

[20-foot container (Gazouya-japan via Wikimedia Commons).]

There are also forty-foot equivalent unit containers (FEU), which can be stacked precisely on top of two twenty-foot containers. The dimensions of an FEU are:

Length: 40 ft (12.2 m)
Width: 8 ft (2.44 m)
Height: 8 ft 6 in (2.59 m)

1 forty-foot container is classified as 2 TEU. If a ship has the capacity for 5000 TEU, it could be that it’s carrying 2500 forty-foot containers. Ships usually carry a mix of both sizes, so ships measure their container capacity in units of TEU rather than by the number of containers.

[40-foot and 20-foot containers (Torsten Bätge, Hamburg via Wikimedia Commons).]

Ship sizes

The capacity of container ships is another factor to consider when calculating the viability of the land bridge. Knowing how many containers need to be transported over the peninsula will figure in the calculations.

The world’s largest container ship is the MSC Irina, which has a maximum capacity of 24,346 TEU.

[MSC Irina (vesselfinder.com).]

Perhaps the most famous of the large container ships is the Ever Given. The Ever Given was the ship that got stuck in the Suez Canal in 2021.

[Ever Given in Suez Canal viewed from ISS (NASA JSC ISS image library via Wikimedia Commons).]

The Ever Given has a capacity of 20,124 TEU. If this ship were British, it would have a name like Long Boi or Absolute Unit. Ships are rarely registered in the great maritime nation of Great Britain, so there are no fun names like Boaty McBoatface.

The Ever Given is operated by Evergreen Marine Corporation from Taiwan, and the ship is registered in Panama. The ship is named by a naming convention using Ever + G in the name. Here is a list of all the G-type container ships (a list full of long bois and absolute units).

[Ever Given at Europoort, Rotterdam (© S.J. de Waard / CC-BY-SA-4.0 via Wikimedia Commons).]

I’ve shown these mega ships for reference, but for the purposes of calculations for the land bridge, I will use ships in the “New Panamax” ship classification. As the name suggests, a New Panamax ship is the largest type of ship that can sail through the Panama Canal after the 2018 expansion project. A New Panamax ship has a capacity of up to 14,000 TEU.

The Thai land bridge was proposed as an alternative to the canal project. I will assume that the canal would have been built to accommodate New Panamax ships, so I will use 14,000 TEU as the number for ships using the land bridge.

Ship journey types

There are two types of journeys that a container ship can take: Direct shipping and Transshipment.

Direct shipping

Direct shipping is when a container ship goes from Port A to Port B without any stops on the way. All of the containers loaded on the ship at Port A will be unloaded at Port B.

Transshipment

Transshipment is when a ship stops at another port en route to its final destination, where it can unload and pick up new containers.

Why the Thai Land Bridge is a bad idea

Having introduced the basics of shipping, I will break down the problems of the land bridge when used for either direct shipping or transshipment.

Using the land bridge for direct shipments

How would the land bridge operate if a ship wants to cross the peninsula with the same payload?

A ship going from east to west will arrive at the Chumphon port, where the containers are unloaded. Estimating the time to unload a container ship varies according to the size of the ship and the efficiency of the port. I have read reports that estimate between 1 and 3 days, and even up to 1 week.

This article describes the process of unloading a ship with over 20,000 TEU:

“It takes 3,000 people working three days in shifts around the clock to load and unload a giant ship with capacity for 20,000 containers when it stops at one of the world’s biggest ports. Every second counts as thousands of boxes are pulled off or loaded onto the deck. Docking and unloading what Maersk calls its Triple E ships involves a variety of people working in sync, from ship pilots and tug masters to customs officers, truck and train drivers, and crane operators.”

Let’s assume that no one in their right mind will want to unpack and repack one of these monster ships. The Port of Hamburg “hopes that shipping companies will soon stop deploying ever-larger container ships”.

For the land bridge calculations, I’m using the New Panamax class of ships with a capacity of 14,000 TEU.

When the ship is unloaded at either port, the next thing to consider is where to place the containers. Are the containers stacked at the port first and then loaded onto trains, or are the containers loaded directly from the ship to the train?

The next question to ask is how many train trips will it take to send 14,000 TEU across the peninsula? I found varying estimates of freight train lengths. One report mentions that freight trains in China can carry 55 40-foot containers. That equals 110 TEU per train, so a ship with 14,000 TEU would need 128 trains that can haul 55 40ft-containers at a time.

[Do you really want to transport 7500 of these across the peninsula? Photo: China Daily.]

Indian Railways launched the ‘Rudrastra’ freight train in 2025, which is said to be the longest freight train in Asia. The train stretches nearly 4.5 kilometres with 354 wagons and is powered by seven locomotives. That equals 708 TEU per train, so a ship with 14,000 TEU would need 20 trains that can haul 354 40-foot containers at a time.

Once all of those trainloads of containers arrive at Ranong, the same questions are asked in reverse. Are the containers unloaded directly from the train to the ship, or are they offloaded first and then wait until they can be loaded onto the ship?

Then there is the big question, which I have not seen any report address so far. There needs to be an empty ship of the same size waiting on the other side. Did the ship come here to meet these containers, or was the ship coming from another job? What is the likelihood of the ship being ready at exactly the time when the containers arrive?

The whole point of this land bridge is to save 3 or 4 days of sailing time. These basic calculations suggest that there would not be any time savings, and maybe even take longer. To save time, the containers would need to be loaded directly from the boat to the train rather than being stacked at the port to wait to be loaded onto a train. Another consideration is whether there is congestion at the port, and the ship has to wait to dock.

[Ships anchored off the coast of Singapore. Will Ranong and Chumphon look like this?]

Using the Chumphon and Ranong ports as transshipment hubs

The next consideration is transshipments. Thailand wants to develop both ports so they can become transhipment hubs. The big problem with this is that Singapore is already a massive transshipment hub, and due to its strategic location, it always will be. Port Klang in Malaysia is also a sizeable transshipment location, so Thailand will be competing with established ports.

To illustrate why building a transshipment hub is going to be a challenge, consider this shipping scenario.

Let’s say there is a ship going from Hong Kong to the Port of Mombasa in Kenya. There may only be half a ship’s worth of containers that need to go to Mombasa, but the ship is going via Singapore, where it can pick up other containers.

Rather than sailing from Hong Kong to Singapore with half a boatload, the ship can carry containers to Singapore that are going elsewhere. For example, the ship might have 100 containers that need to go to Darwin in Australia. No ships are going direct from Hong Kong to Darwin, but there is a ship scheduled to go from Singapore to Darwin. Those containers are unloaded in Singapore, where they can be loaded onto the ship to Darwin.

The ship from Hong Kong can then load more containers in Singapore that are bound for Mombasa. There are so many ships going to Singapore that the Hong Kong ship will have enough containers to pick up to fill its ship.

If this ship takes the land bridge shortcut, it would arrive at Chumphon port to find no containers that are waiting to go to Mombasa. If only a limited number of ships are going to the Thailand ports, then why would a shipping company go there?

Another problem with Thailand’s proposal is that there are two ports in their plan, and a transhipment hub works better when all the ships meet at one port.

If you come at the king, you’d best not miss

There is talk of the land bridge being a Malacca Straits Killer and a genuine alternative to shipping via Singapore.

For Thailand to make transhipment work, it would need to build Tuas-sized ports in Ranong and Chumphon. Meanwhile, Singapore is spending $14 billion USD over 20 years to build the world’s largest fully automated port. There is no way that Thailand is going to replicate Tuas twice.

[Tuas Mega Port.]

Thailand wants to spend a trillion baht on this land bridge dream, but it still won’t be enough to be an alternative to Singapore.

What Thailand should do instead

The land bridge is a bad idea, and the sooner this idea is killed off, the better. This report just covers the logistics of moving tens of thousands of shipping containers across the peninsula per day. I haven’t even touched on the environmental impact of expanding two deep-sea ports, or the problems of a corridor of non-stop freight trains running across the land.

This is the very definition of a logistical nightmare, which is defined as a “situation or event that requires considerable coordination of many people or resources, beyond the original organizer’s expectations.”

Should Thailand revert to the original canal proposal? That would genuinely save days of sailing time without the hassle of unloading and reloading ships, but it comes with huge technical, environmental, and local political problems to solve.

There is merit in expanding the Ranang port and using that as Thailand’s west-facing port. Containers could be transported with the proposed Ranong to Chumphon railway that was planned for freight and passengers. The same environmental questions would still need to be asked regarding more ships passing through this part of the Andaman Sea.

Perhaps Thailand could give up on the idea of this shortcut altogether and spend the money on other development projects. The land bridge is supposedly going to benefit all southerners, but all it is doing is creating a traffic sewer across the peninsula.

Why not spend a trillion baht on making truly great cities in the south? Make Chumphon, Ranong, and Hat Yai great global destinations that people want to spend time in. Build a regional railway along the Andaman coast to help spread tourism beyond Phuket. Start thinking about how to make southern cities more appealing and help decentralise away from Bangkok. Southern economic prosperity doesn’t have to rely on a bridge or canal project.

The Thai Land Bridge is a proposed rail and road transport corridor in Southern Thailand connecting the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand. This has been touted as an alternative to the Thai Canal, which would cut a canal across Southern Thailand as a short cut to the Strait of Malacca.

Deep sea ports would be built at either end of the “bridge”, where containers would be unloaded, transported across the peninsula, and continue on another ship.

A land alternative to a canal was proposed in the 1990s. That route was from Pak Bara in Satun on the Andaman side, to Songkhla on the Gulf of Thailand side, via Hat Yai. The most recent route preference is from Ranong to Chumphon.

The Ranong to Chumphon route might be incorporated into a planned Ranong to Chumphon railway, but so far these two projects appear to be separate.

The Thai Land Bridge proposal is not to be confused with the Thai Bridge proposal, which is a sea bridge across the Bay of Bangkok.

This page is a fact sheet that is tracking news about the project. I have also written an editorial about why the Thai Land Bridge is a bad idea.

News Archive

2026

Bhumjaithai government eyes THB990bn land bridge, transport ministry says tender possible within four years – [16/02/26]

2025

Senate panel wants Land Bridge project put on hold – [16/09/25]
A Senate committee on Monday urged the Bhumjaithai-led government to put the ambitious Land Bridge project on hold, citing a lack of input by local communities in its study and public hearing stages.

PM pushes ahead with 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge mega-project to boost long-term growth – [12/09/25]

Govt’s ambitious land bridge project ‘puts residents at risk’ – [29/08/25]

Thai Land Bridge project takes another step forward – [26/08/25]
“Extensive study concluded for trillion-baht project, including compensation measures.”

OTP targets 2026 for bidding on 997.68 billion baht land bridge linking two ports – [25/08/25]

Panel wants Land Bridge study redone – [22/08/25]
“The House Committee on Land, Natural Resources and Environment is calling for a thorough review of the Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) for the controversial Land Bridge megaproject, saying the report contains incomplete and/or inaccurate information that could hurt the project’s prospects.”

Thailand’s ‘Land Bridge’ project gets green light to transform global trade – [22/08/25]

Critics push to review land bridge port reports [06/08/25]
“Academics and activists have urged a review of the Environmental Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) reports for the Ranong and Chumphon deep-sea port plans, part of the government’s flagship land bridge megaproject.”

Thailand’s Land Bridge falls flat – [13/07/25]
“The key criticism centres on the double handling of cargo. Goods would have to be offloaded from vessels on one coast, transported by truck or rail across 90 kilometres, and reloaded onto another ship on the opposite side.”

Land bridge a disaster in waiting [22/06/25]
“The Southern Economic Corridor is cataclysm in the making — set to scar the Andaman Coast and Gulf of Thailand in one sweep. It will disrupt ecosystems, cripple tourism, and erase local livelihoods in exchange for enriching investors. It must be stopped.”

Can ‘Land Bridge’ ignite growth? – [18/06/25]

Chumphon-Ranong Land Bridge seen as feasible alternative to Kra Canal – [11/06/25]

DP World ready to invest in land bridge, says Transport Ministry source – [10/06/25]

AIIB keen on Land Bridge investment – [29/05/25]
“The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has expressed interest in investing in Thailand’s Land Bridge project, describing it as beneficial for both Southeast Asia and East Asia, according to Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat.”

The land bridge dilemma – [28/04/25]
“Ranong villagers fear for their environment and livelihood due to a proposed government project.”

Developing megaprojects, but at what cost? – [26/04/25]

“Our governments and politicians are known for pushing the envelope when it comes to costly development projects, often at the expense of nature.

A glaring example is the government’s latest mega-infrastructure plan: the Land Bridge project, part of the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC), which spans four southern provinces.”

Govt presses ahead with Land Bridge – [26/04/25]
“The government is pushing legislation to support the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) and the Land Bridge megaproject linking the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.”

Bypassing Malacca? China, India and the UAE vie for Thailand’s land bridge – [14/04/25]
“For all the focus on China and India in the strategic tussle over Thailand’s land bridge project, a quieter force may end up shaping the project’s trajectory: third countries with capital and neutrality, says academic Hao Nan.”

Thailand’s trillion-baht plan to bypass the Malacca Strait moves ahead – [24/03/25]
“Thailand aims to complete a 100km project bisecting the country’s southern peninsula with a new highway and rail line by 2030.”

Govt ‘still pursuing’ Land Bridge project – [24/03/25]
“Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit confirms that the Land Bridge megaproject connecting the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea is still being pursued, with China and Middle Eastern countries showing an interest.”

Thailand drafts law to speed up $29 billion transport link – [22/03/25]
“Thailand unveiled draft legislation to create a special economic zone in the south of the country that would pave the way for a multibillion-dollar transport project linking the Indian and Pacific Oceans.”

Public hearings begin in first step towards the land bridge – [22/03/25]

Bill drafted to support southern Land Bridge – [22/03/25]
“Southern Economic Zone body would oversee trillion-baht megaproject.”

Citizen scientists put land bridge plan under microscope [03/03/25]
“As Thailand’s ambitious land bridge project advances, grassroots efforts from citizen scientists and local researchers emerge to ensure that biodiversity and ecosystems are not overlooked.”

The $29-billion shortcut: Thailand’s land bridge project fuels hopes and fears – [06/02/25]
“The Thai government is betting big on a land bridge to revolutionise trade routes and propel the economy forward. But in the fishing villages and durian orchards of the South, the question remains: at what cost?”

2024

Ambitious land bridge project set to take off next year, says Suriya – [15/12/24]

Rights body seeks Land Bridge changes – [26/09/24]
“PM urged to review all relevant studies and determine whether megaproject is really worth it.”

Locals want Southern Corridor, Land Bridge axed – [17/09/24]
“A group of southern residents has called on the government to revoke two Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) bills and scrap the Land Bridge megaproject, saying they will severely impact their way of life.”

Thailand ‘desperate’ for land bridge project to boost growth but could face roadblocks ahead – [06/09/24]
“Analysts warn the project could become another white elephant, with funding, long-term viability and possible corruption among serious concerns.”

Govt drawing up bill to get southern Thailand’s Land Bridge going – [02/09/24]
“The southern Land Bridge megaproject will move forward as the government is currently drafting the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) bill, which is required for the project to continue, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said on Monday.”

Land bridge on track, Transport Ministry confirms – [02/09/24]

Thailand’s ‘land bridge’ ambitions face fresh roadblocks – [28/08/24]
“Environmental and political concerns cloud plan to build new trade artery.”

Will Thailand’s new PM seek Chinese funding for land bridge? Definitely, maybe – [25/08/24]
“With a new Thai leader in place, speculation is rife over whether she will ask for China’s aid in massive land bridge project.”

Southern Land Bridge to partially open in 6 years: minister – [01/07/24]

DP World CEO to meet Thai PM for talks on THB1-trn land bridge – [19/06/24]

Land Bridge threatens island gem – [10/06/24]
“Locals fear industrial push may negatively impact Koh Phayam’s natural attractions.”

Mega land bridge project not a pie in the sky, says Transport Ministry – [07/06/24]
“Ministry reckons bidding for the 1-trillion-baht project will kick off next year with more than 100 Thai and foreign companies showing interest.”

Concerns about acquisition of land for mega project raised – [31/05/24]
“Private companies interested in investing in the government’s land bridge project expressed concern over legal issues that could delay land delivery in the mega project that will serve as a link between the Pacific and Indian oceans in the South of Thailand.”

Investors from 3 nations eye Land Bridge – [31/05/24]
“Major companies from China, Japan and the Netherlands took part in a “market sounding” event on Thursday for Thailand’s 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge megaproject”.

Govt eyes Italian touch for Land Bridge feeder network – [25/05/24]
“Companies in Italy are interested in investing in Thailand’s Land Bridge megaproject which would, in turn, enhance the country’s rail network, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit yesterday said.”

Malaysia urges Thailand to revive Pan-Asia rail links instead of chasing land bridge dream – [25/05/24]

Residents of Chumphon and Ranong rally against land bridge project – [17/05/24]

Manaporn defends Land Bridge plan – [14/05/24]

Please credit and share this article with others using this link: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2792184/manaporn-defends-land-bridge-plan. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Bangkok Post PCL. All rights reserved.

Study on Land Bridge estate expected soon – [28/04/24]

Thai ports bemoan competitive decline as Srettha pushes ‘land bridge’ – [22/03/24]
“Shipping industry questions potential demand for $28bn megaproject.”

A B1tn bridge to success – [25/02/24]
“Govt vows it will press ahead after House backs feasibility study.”

Thai Land Bridge bid straddles a delicate US-China line – [20/02/24]
“Proposed Thai megaproject aims to provide alternative shipping route to Malacca Strait but could undercut a key US strategic advantage over China.”

House backs Thailand Land Bridge – [17/02/24]
“The House of Representatives has endorsed the Land Bridge feasibility study with 269 votes in favour, despite concerns and objections from the opposition.”

Thailand’s pitching US$28 billion land bridge to the world, but foreign investors not ready to bite – [14/02/24]
“The absence of a full-scale feasibility study, a lack of transparency, and uncertainty over the project’s profitability are some key concerns, say experts.”

Thailand’s ‘Landbridge’ to nowhere? – [09/02/24]
“High-level feasibility studies done over the years have been pessimistic about the project. Yet despite this, and the lack of subsequent interest from the private sector, the idea refuses to go away.”

Foreign investors need more clarification on land bridge project – [04/02/24]

Beijing bank may finance megaproject – [04/02/24]
“The China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is interested in financing Thailand’s Land Bridge megaproject, says Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin.”

A land bridge too far? Thailand’s revived Kra megaproject a divisive issue among local residents – [30/01/24]
“The ambitious plan in Thailand’s southern region could see shipping trade bypass Singapore and Malaysia. While it’s been redesigned to keep the mainland intact, the project is threatening to split local communities apart.”

Lessons for Land Bridge advocates – [29/01/24]
“During the mobile cabinet meeting in Ranong last week, the Land Bridge project once again became a disputed topic as locals in the proposed area met Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and voiced concerns over the possible impact on their way of life and environmental damage.”

Land Bridge: A Project for No one – [26/01/24]

Thai minister releases 18 FAQs on southern land bridge project and its benefits – [23/01/24]

Land Bridge project to benefit all southerners, Srettha says – [23/01/24]

Land Bridge plan draws critics – [22/01/24]
“Project opponents to meet Srettha in Ranong.”

Thai govt may review land bridge project subject to study on costs and value – [19/01/24]

The Kra Land Bridge: Thailand’s white elephant comes charging back – [18/01/24]
“Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has revitalised the idea of the Kra land bridge with gusto. Poor economic viability, environmental problems and geopolitical complications account for the project’s tepid international reception.”

2023

Land bridge: a great opportunity for Thailand or another dream project? – [25/12/23]

Thailand drums up investment for strategic ‘landbridge’ – [20/12/23]

Thailand plans global tender for 1 trillion baht Landbridge project to help bypass Malacca Strait – [18/12/23]

Thailand’s ‘Landbridge’ will bring East and West closer together – [17/12/23]
“New link between Indian and Pacific oceans to provide economic boost.”

Thailand’s proposed 100 km land bridge poses little threat to Singapore, Malaysia ports: analysts – [04/12/23]

Thailand’s plan to ‘cut’ the Straits of Malacca – [27/11/23]
“Thailand’s plan to construct a port and a land bridge that would bypass the Straits of Malacca, is expected to have significant implications not only for Malaysia but also for Singapore and Indonesia.”

Thailand’s land bridge project will benefit Malaysia, says Anwar – [27/11/23]
“The US$28 billion project will see the construction of two Thai ports — Ranong in the west and Chumphon in the east — that will be connected by road or rail.”

Thailand wants to build a brand new shipping route. Why isn’t China buying? – [27/11/23]
“The Land Bridge project, a proposed route for shipping that could bypass the Malacca Strait, is being shopped by the Thai government as it seeks financing. If built, the bridge could reshape the economy of Southeast Asia – but China has not shown a willingness to put up the cash.”

Thai PM pitches trillion baht land bridge project as Straits of Melaka alternative – [15/11/23]

Local communities oppose govt’s land bridge project – [20/11/23]

Thailand pitches new investors in U.S. on old idea of Southeast Asia shipping route shortcut – [14/11/23]

Srettha pitches land bridge project in US – [14/11/23]
“PM, in San Francisco for Apec forum, stresses shorter shipping times and safety ”

Higher costs likely for shippers that use proposed Thai land bridge project: Chee Hong Tat – [08/11/23]

Is land bridge plan just a pipe dream? – [06/11/23]
“The cabinet has already given the green light to an estimated construction cost of at least 1 trillion baht. Where will the money come from? No worries. It will be under the public-private partnership format. The government will take care of land appropriation and a one-metre gauge train track to connect it with the existing southern rail line.”

Anti-land bridge banners emerge in Phato district of Chumphon province – [05/11/23]

A closer look at Thailand’s THB1trn Land Bridge for global trade – [03/11/23]
“The plan to build a “Land Bridge” from the Gulf of Thailand to the Andaman Sea as a route for international trade was given the green light on October 16.”

Land bridge needs rethink – [25/10/23]

A bad Idea revisited: Thailand pitches Prayut’s ‘Land Bridge’ to Beijing – [23/10/23]

Srettha touts advantages of “land bridge” project for Chinese investors – [20/10/23]

Analysis: Thailand’s proposed land bridge project easier than Kra Canal idea, but steep challenges await – [20/10/23]
“The land bridge project is designed to provide a new trade route between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, potentially bypassing the Malacca Straits, by linking two deep sea ports on Thailand’s eastern and western coasts via a rail and road system.”

China interested in Thai landbridge project – [18/10/23]
“Major infrastructure firm discusses planned Chumphon-Ranong link with PM in Beijing.”

Land bridge to be expedited – [17/10/23]
“Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has ordered acceleration of the southern land bridge connecting Chumphon on the eastern coast along the Gulf of Thailand to Ranong along the Andaman Sea.”

Land bridge megaproject still on the burner – [25/09/23]
“Transport minister denies halting one-trillion-baht ‘connectivity’ project in the south.”

Land bridge project to attract investors – [22/09/23]
“The Transport Ministry plans to host roadshows in China, Europe and the United States to attract investors in a land bridge megaproject connecting Chumphon on the eastern coast along the Gulf of Thailand to Ranong along the Andaman Sea.”

Is the massive “land bridge” project worth the trillion baht investment? – [01/09/23]

PM Prayut Chan-o-cha pushes ambitious Land Bridge project in South to create trade hub in SE Asia – [13/06/23]
“This project is intended to further enhance the advantages of Thailand’s geographic location in Southeast Asia, which is conducive to transportation and trade.”

Iran urged to assist bridge project – [09/04/23]
“The Transport Ministry is seeking cooperation from Iran on cargo transport via a “land bridge” project in the southern region once it is completed.”

2022

Landbridge project linking Andaman coast and Gulf of Thailand moves forward – [26/04/22]

Six locations eyed for ‘Land Bridge’ – [21/03/22]

Thai ‘land bridge’ project caught in Sino-U.S. tug of war – [20/02/22]

2021

High hopes for ‘land bridge’ project – [28/11/21]
“The Transport Ministry said the proposed land bridge megaproject, which will connect Chumphon on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand to Ranong on the Andaman Sea, will become a major transit port, with a capacity rivalling Hong Kong.”

Thailand pushes dream of ‘land bridge’ to boost economy – [05/09/21]
“Backers say it would cut shipping time by 2 days, but project faces backlash.”

Southern land bridge megaproject will make Thailand a logistics hub in ASEAN – [25/06/21]

Saksayam pushes for megaproject – [06/05/21]
“Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob has urged agencies to expedite the southern land bridge megaproject, which will connect the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea.”

Thailand’s land bridge rail-and-port project “to be unveiled in June” – [22/03/21]

Thailand pushes “land bridge” for trade to supplant Strait of Malacca – [21/03/21]
“The Thai government is pushing ahead with a plan to build a “land bridge” of highways and rail lines linking two new deep sea ports, one on the Andaman Sea and one on the Gulf of Thailand. The project aims to make southern Thailand the main route for cargo and oil traveling from the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf to the Pacific by offering a faster and cheaper alternative to shipping through the Strait of Malacca.”

Thailand surveys locations for land bridge linking Gulf of Thailand, Andaman Sea – [17/03/21]
“The Thai government is conducting surveys of possible locations in Chumphon and Ranong provinces in southern Thailand for a land bridge project connecting the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea”.

Govt mulls southern bridge spots – [16/03/21]
“The government is surveying locations along the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea in Chumphon and Ranong for engineering, environmental and economic potential”.

Govt launches Bt4.47bn study for southern land bridge – [05/03/21]
“The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy has hired Index International Group (IND) to draft a study for a land bridge connecting the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea via the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC). The project is designed to link up the SEC with the Eastern Economic Corridor.”

Land Bridge in place of Kra Canal: Game changer for Thailand’s future engagement with region and China? – [01/02/21]
“A mega project proposal that envisions building a “Land Bridge” between Chumphon Province on the Gulf of Thailand and an enlarged deep-sea port in Ranong Province on the Andaman Sea has now been touted, supported by the Prayut administration.”

2020

Govt floats new plan for land bridge – [12/10/20]
“The land bridge is part of the government’s plan to develop a Southern Economic Corridor covering Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat which will connect with the Eastern Economic Corridor in Chon Buri and Rayong.”

Will Thailand’s bid to bypass Strait of Malacca ever be built – and will China play a part? – [21/09/20]

Thailand mulls path linking Indian and Pacific Oceans – [14/09/20]
“To avoid dredging a canal, the government proposes an alternative pathway through its southern isthmus. It plans to build two automated seaports — one on the Indian Ocean side and another on the Pacific side — and link the ports with a 100-kilometer expressway and rail network to transport goods between them.”

Thailand eyes ‘land bridge’ to link its coasts – [11/09/20]
“Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha this week publicly endorsed a proposed land bridge between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, apparently shelving a long-discussed project to build a canal across the Malay Peninsula.”

A land bridge or the Kra Canal for Thailand? – [09/09/20]
“Why the land bridge idea will never work.”

PM dusts off South Land Bridge plan – [09/09/20]
“Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday ordered a new feasibility study into a proposal to build a land bridge between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, seen as a potential key part of a new major economic development plan in the South.”

Thailand looks to cut Malacca Strait shipping time by land link between Indian, Pacific Oceans – [31/08/20]
“Thailand is looking to construct a land passageway that would connect the Indian and Pacific Oceans, bypassing one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.”

Thailand puts forward southern land bridge project to link two seas, promote rail transports – [27/01/20]
“The Rail Transport Department and the Marine Department have been assigned to jointly conduct a study and design on the southern land bridge project between Chumphorn province on the western coast of the Gulf of Thailand and Ranong province on the southeastern shores of the Andaman Sea, Saksayam said.”

2017

Southern Land Bridge study sped up – [07/05/17]
“Aimed at facilitating the transport of cargo containers from Pak Bara deep sea port in Satun, on the Andaman shore, to Songkhla deep sea port, on the Gulf of Thailand shore, the project will connect Hat Yai train station in Songkhla to Pak Bara deep sea port in its first phase of implementation.”

2012

Southern landbridge resuscitated – [06/11/12]
“The landbridge idea has been circulating for more than 20 years. Former prime minister Chatichai Choonhavan floated the idea in 1989. The National Economic and Social Development Board completed the project’s master plan in 1992.

The project was revived by the Thaksin Shinawatra government, but shelved after the devastating tsunami hit Thailand in 2004.”