Editorial – Land Bridge
PM directs committee to study trillion-baht Land Bridge megaproject connecting Thailand's Gulf and Andaman coasts within 90 days, amid concerns over environmental and economic viability. The infrastructure project aims to establish Thailand
Prime Minister Anuthine Charnvirakul has instructed Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nititumphaphat and Finance Minister to chair a committee studying the Southern Economic Bridge project, connecting the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea coastlines, or Land Bridge.
The study will examine all aspects including geopolitics, investment returns, logistics systems, and cargo management procedures.
The PM emphasized the project's importance, noting that global conditions have shifted regarding energy security and geopolitics, necessitating strategies that allow Thailand to stand independently.
The Land Bridge study committee must finalize its report within 90 days.
The Land Bridge is a megaproject worth approximately 1 trillion baht, functioning as an economic bridge connecting Chumphon Province on the Gulf coast with Ranong Province on the Andaman coast.
Construction will include two deep-sea ports on either coast, alongside expressways and dual-track railways to transport goods across the peninsula, reducing time and costs compared to Malacca Strait shipping.
Projections suggest the project will boost economic capacity, establish Thailand as a logistics center, create new manufacturing bases, generate employment and income, and stimulate Southern Thailand's economy.
This project has been discussed since 2019 and the current government is advancing it.
Historically, Thailand has not invested in large-scale infrastructure megaprojects to drive economic growth and national development.
However, given the project's magnitude, significant concerns and impacts exist, including return on investment, economic viability given high operating costs, environmental impacts, and effects on local communities' livelihoods.
Therefore, the government's directive to expedite this study must comprehensively address all dimensions and aspects. Critically, it must be receptive to all stakeholders and enable participation from all sectors.
Currently, opinions are divided—some support the project while others, particularly civil society and local residents, oppose it due to concerns about long-term impacts.
