S1E1: A ride on the new Laos-China Railway: Asian Insider Special

Synopsis: In a special series called Tales from the Belt and Road, The Straits Times' Indochina bureau chief Tan Hui Yee takes you to places in the region where China’s infrastructure drive is creating the most impact. For this episode, she travels along the Laos-China Railway, newly-opened in December 2021. Highlights (click/tap above): (Headphones recommended) 1:30 No shops open at train station, but street food saves the day 2:26 Checks, checks and more checks 3:31 The railway song 4:38 Departure from Vientiane, on the dot 5:18 Jagged peaks and banana chips 6:58 Ticket brokers infuriate passengers   9:15 Arrival at Boten, a special economic zone under construction by the Laos-China border View the sights in this video version: https://str.sg/wDxq Produced by: Tan Hui Yee ([email protected]), Ernest Luis and Eden Soh Edited by: Eden Soh Follow our Asian Insider Podcast channel every week and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wQsB  Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: [email protected] Read Tan Hui Yee's stories: https://str.sg/wDqT Follow Hui Yee on Twitter: https://str.sg/wDqq Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.