A train derailed, overturned, spilling 4 wagons of rice and 2 wagons of rice on the side of the road at Otaki village, Otaki commune, Thma Kol district, Battambang province, live broadcast on 31 March 2025.
https://www.facebook.com/btbnews.cambodia/videos/29469862559271349/
Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenping revealed that Cambodia and China are discussing a direct rail connection between the two countries to facilitate travel and freight transportation. However, the Chinese ambassador could not yet confirm which countries the direct rail connection to Cambodia would pass through.
Speaking at a press conference on 19 April 2025, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin said that China will continue to strengthen cooperation with Cambodia, especially through the railway connection from China to Cambodia. According to the Chinese ambassador, the direct railway connection from China to Cambodia will bring long-term benefits to both countries as well as promote regional connectivity, especially facilitating travel and freight transportation. Phal Rim, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Cambodia, confirmed that the two sides, Cambodia and China, will have further discussions at a later date.
According to Mr. Phal Rim, currently, Cambodia does not have an agreement on railway transportation with China yet, but Cambodia has given high consideration to this issue in order to expand the railway connection with China. Mr. Peng Purna, Minister of Public Works and Transport, said on 5 April 2025 that Cambodia has completed and prepared a railway development plan in Cambodia.
The railway development plan in Cambodia is divided into two phases: the medium term from 2023 to 2027 and the long term from 2028 to 2033.
In the medium-term plan (2023 - 2027, Minister Peng Purna stated that there are three railway development projects.
1) The first project is to modernize two railway lines from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville and Banteay Meanchey province to become high-speed railways,
2) the second project is to build a railway connecting Phnom Penh to Techo International Airport, and
3) the third project is to connect Siem Reap International Airport to Siem Reap city.
The long-term plan (2028 - 2033) includes five railway projects, including
1) the construction of a high-speed railway from Phnom Penh to Preah Sihanouk Province,
2) a high-speed railway project from Phnom Penh to Poipet, Banteay Meanchey Province, passing through Kampong Thom and Siem Reap, and
3) a high-speed railway project from Phnom Penh to Bavet, Svay Rieng Province, bordering Vietnam.
So far, the study project on connecting the railway from China to Cambodia has not yielded any results. However, speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2024 work results and 2025 direction of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport on 23 January 2025, Hun Manet told the ministry to promote studies and examine the possibility of finding investment partners on the railway, especially in the north connecting Phnom Penh to Poipet and continuing to the Thai railway.
At the same time, the Prime Minister also urged to study the connection of the northern railway to the special economic zone investment project in Krakor district, Pursat province, which is planned to open in the near future.
Pursat (FN), Apr. 22 Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet instructed to build a railway connecting the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Krakor district, Pursat province, to facilitate transportation.
Railways are a valuable mode of transportation for both passengers and goods. Cambodia also aspires to enhance its railway network, particularly through the development of high-speed rail systems.
The premier spoke on Tuesday (Apr. 22) at the inauguration of new Ford production line and Ford sub-assembly plant of RMA (Cambodia) Plc. in Pursat Province.
I have informed Keo Rattanak about conducting a study on connecting the railway from this SEZ to the main railway line, in order to transport vehicles to either Sihanoukville or Poipet, the premier underscored.
Samdech Thipadei said that Pursat province has great potential, and its emerging development can be attributed to the stability and infrastructure consistently established by the Royal Government. These efforts have strengthened connectivity between the province and various municipalities, districts, and provincial capitals across Cambodia.
The premier added that in the future, residents of Pursat Province travelling to Koh Kong or Sihanoukville will no longer need to take National Road 5 through Phnom Penh and then continue on National Road 4 or the expressway. Instead, they will have the option of using National Road 10 through Koh Kong Province, followed by National Road 48, which leads directly to Sihanoukville.
In terms of logistics, Sihanoukville and Koh Kong provinces are home to deep-water ports. Additionally, the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Royal Government of Thailand are set to inaugurate the Stung BotBan Nong Ian International Border Checkpoint project in Banteay Meanchey Province, along with an international port in Pailin Province. These developments will contribute to transforming Pursat from a province previously considered marginal to one with significant industrial potential, tourism appeal, and capacity to create employment opportunities for hundreds of thousands of Cambodians in the future.
Regarding Cambodias own railway development plans, Minister of Public Works and Transport Peng Ponea announced on 5 April 2024 that Cambodia has already conducted studies and drafted a comprehensive development plan. The strategy is divided into two phases: a medium-term plan from 2023 to 2027, and a long-term plan from 2028 to 2033.
According to Minister Peng Ponea, the medium-term phase includes three railway development projects: upgrading the two existing lines (Phnom PenhSihanoukville and Phnom PenhPoipet) to support higher-speed operations, and constructing two new railway linksone connecting Phnom Penh to Techo International Airport, and another linking Siem Reap International Airport to the Siem Reap city.
Xis visit puts Cambodias $4B railway project back in spotlight
Nhean Chamrong / Khmer Times
China is actively considering Cambodias $4 billion high-speed railway network project, said Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin in Phnom Pehn, on Saturday. KT/Chor Sokunthea
Click here to get Khmer Times Breaking News direct into your Telegram
FacebookTwitterEmailShare
Chinese President Xi Jinpings recent state visit to Cambodia once again ignited the hopes of the $4 billion high-speed railway project, as the Chinese ambassador announced productive discussions with the Royal Government on Saturday.
A day after President Xi concluded his fruitful visit to the Kingdom, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin during a presser with media reiterated that China is closely monitoring the development of the Kingdoms high-speed railway network, saying that a potential railway project connecting Cambodia to China is also under discussion.
I believe the Chinese government places great importance on railway cooperation, and we will actively promote the project, he said.
Ambassador Wang said that China considers the railway cooperation as a key priority, not only for Cambodia and China but also for fostering people-to-people ties and enhancing bilateral trade and multilateralism.
We believe that expanding railway cooperation will benefit both countries, strengthen the regional connectivity and improve transportation efficiency for both passengers and goods, he said.
Discussions are ongoing regarding the regional railway grid, particularly on which countries the railway should traverse to ensure transportation efficiency and maximize trade routes, said Ambassador Wang, adding, More discussions on the Cambodia-China railway will be held shortly.
He emphasised that the Shared Future initiative between the two nations is reflected in their mutual support for safeguarding each others core interests.
Speaking to Khmer Times, Seun Sam, a policy analyst at the Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC), noted that during President Xis visit to the Kingdom, China demonstrated that the terms Steel Friend and the Diamond Cooperation with Cambodia are more than just symbolic.
Sam pointed out that Laos serves as a strong example of successful railway cooperation with China in recent years, despite its limited resources and small population, conditions similar to our country.
He continued, Late last year, I had the opportunity to experience the Lao-China railway, travelling from the capital Vientiane to Luang Prabang, and continuing into Chinas Yunnan province.
This high-speed railway, which reaches speeds of up to 190 km per hour, is a historic achievement. It provides smooth transportation for Lao citizens while boosting trade, investment and business activities with Chinese investors.
Sam emphasised that Cambodia shares borders with Laos and Vietnam, and the Royal Government has expressed its desire to improve the domestic railway network and establish regional connectivity to maximise benefits.
However, he underscored that such a critical project requires a strong master plan, effective negotiations and significant investment.
He noted that President Xis recent visit to Cambodia addressed this issue during discussions, which could serve as a potential starting point.
Although no significant agreements or official decisions were made, I still believe this marks a positive step toward the Kingdoms future railway infrastructure development, he added.
It may be recalled that in January 2023, former Prime Minister Hun Sen, current President of the Senate, sought financial support from President Xi for the development of a $4 billion high-speed railway linking Phnom Penh to key economic hubs near Cambodias borders.
Prior to his visit to Beijing, Mr Hun Sen said, I hope that my upcoming visit will yield new projects, as we have to rely on our friend, China, to support the countrys development, including the high-speed railway.
Note: Somdej Hun Manet, have you ever learnt to make Track rehabilitation to reach 140 kph, max speed, with axle load of 22.5 metric tons wiht BS110 welded steel rails with 30-60 cm thickness of ballast while installing ECTS-1 signal at all? Furthermore, Thai people would prefer the rail link between Battambang and Chanthaburi via Pailin instead of the rail link from Pursat to Chanthaburi via Pailin. For the railway line to Siem Reap, get the first 105 km from Sisophon to Siem Reap via Kralanh (Kalanthaburi in Thai). Thai people would prefer the rail link from Surin to Kralanh (Kalanthaburi in Thai) via O Samach checkpoint or Buriram to Kralanh (Kalanthaburi in Thai) via O Bok checkpoint.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501672600/xis-visit-puts-cambodias-4b-railway-project-back-in-spotlight/?
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Forum FAQ
Search
Usergroups
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
