Cabinet Tackles Southern Economy, Urban Planning at Songkhla Forum
Thailand's cabinet will hold its first off-site meeting in Hat Yai on August 31–September 1 to address economic development and outdated urban planning in five southern provinces, with the private sector presenting proposals to revitalize s
At 9:40 a.m. on August 11, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phipat Ratchakitprakarn announced that the Prime Minister has approved the first off-site cabinet meeting in Hat Yai district, Songkhla province, scheduled for August 31–September 1. The meeting on August 31 will include field visits, and the cabinet session will focus on tackling problems in five southern provinces—Songkhla, Satun, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat—to address livelihood issues and outdated urban planning frameworks.
Phipat noted that he met with the five provincial governors and private-sector representatives on August 9 to prepare for the session. A summary meeting will be held at the Government House on August 25, where all five provinces will present projects aimed at stimulating the economy and propose changes, particularly to zoning and urban planning regulations that have been in use for a long time.
He stressed that budget-framework discussions are not the focus; rather, the private sector will present their needs and proposals. Initial proposals will center on vocational promotion and economic revitalization, especially in the three southern border provinces, which have the nation's lowest average incomes. As the Prime Minister has tasked him with overseeing 14 southern provinces, he seized the opportunity to bring issues of five provinces to the cabinet agenda.
Regarding flooding, Phipat clarified that it is a separate matter. A disaster-management meeting for the 14 southern provinces was already held on August 7, with the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation handling flood prevention. He asked provinces to submit their proposals through the provincial governors.
On the Missing Link project, Phipat stated that the Prime Minister assigned Deputy PM Anutin Charnvirakul to review the land bridge proposal, which has now been shelved or cancelled. The Port Authority of Ranong requires further study. He directed the Transport Ministry's Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) to assess whether Ranong Port is suitable for development and public investment, or whether an alternative location should be surveyed.
Phipat added that he would discuss the land bridge with protesters, noting that an memorandum of understanding was signed committing that the term "land bridge" would not be revived. With Anutin's cancellation, the matter is closed. However, developing an Andaman-coast port remains strategically important and an opportunity for Thailand. The choice of port location along the Andaman coast—among Satun, Krabi, Phuket, Phang Nga, and Ranong—depends on feasibility, though Phuket is unlikely to be selected.
