High Speed Rail Projects in South East Asia Mainland: Shifting Orientation Between Social and Business

Abstract

The eagerness of Association of South East Asia (ASEAN) countries to pursue with high-speed train projects could be witnessed with the on-going progress of the facilities developments done by the participating countries. Mostly consist of mainland countries, Malaysia, Thailand, Lao People Democratic Republic (PDR), Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam, with the additional of Singapore into the scope of projects developments, this project has been one of the major transportation sector developments agreed upon and it received unanimous interest from the members. The project might provide a different type of definition towards the railway sector in South East Asia (SEA), which is very much known for its unreliability services. Poor facilities and very long travel time are among the stigmas that come to the mind of consumer in relation to railway services. Beginning in 1995, during the 5th ASEAN Summit that was held in Bangkok, the idea of having railway connection between SEA and China was announced.