The Government of Cambodia has announced plans for a USD4 billion upgrade of its existing Phnom Penh–Poipet railway into the country’s first high-speed rail corridor, aimed at modernising transport infrastructure and boosting regional trade.
The upgraded line will feature 33 stations, electric trains and operating speeds of up to 160 km/hr, significantly improving on the current colonial-era network, which has limited capacity and utilisation. The project is expected to enhance both passenger and freight services, particularly along the key corridor linking Phnom Penh with the Thai border.
Strategically, the railway is intended to strengthen connectivity with Thailand and integrate into wider regional networks aligned with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, potentially linking Southeast Asia to broader transnational rail systems extending toward China and Singapore.
The project also supports Cambodia’s long-term development vision of becoming a regional logistics hub, improving supply chains and facilitating trade flows. With bilateral trade between Cambodia and Thailand already reaching around USD4 billion, the upgraded railway is expected to play a critical role in enhancing economic corridors, reducing transport costs and improving cross-border mobility.
