Noraseth Criticizes Land Bridge Committee Composition, Warns Ekniti Not to Lend His Name as a Rubber Stamp

At 1 p.m. on May 7, 2025 at Parliament, Noraseth Prachakorn, a Senate member and chairman of the Senate's Political Development Committee, addressed Prime Minister Anuthim Charnweerakul and Interior Minister regarding the establishment of a Land Bridge study committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithumrong. Noraseth stated that upon reviewing the committee roster, the public representatives number no more than three members, which he noted represents an imbalanced composition that fails to adequately reflect community interests.

Noraseth expressed uncertainty about using the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTTPP) under the Transport Ministry as the primary reporting body, noting concern that if this is indeed the case, the OTTPP report appears designed solely to support the project's advancement.

Noraseth urged Ekniti, as committee chairman, to ensure the committee composition better reflects affected communities, noting that three representatives among dozens of committee members cannot adequately represent or carry the weight of public voice. He emphasized the importance of meaningfully incorporating public participation and civil society input into the study process.

"I don't want Ekniti to use his name as a rubber stamp to approve this project regardless of its merits," Noraseth stated. "I want this report to be credible, with genuine and proportional public participation, and for it to have true legitimacy. This way, the government can make decisions based on fair and legitimate study findings." He noted that the Land Bridge bill will be presented to the Senate on May 12, with the Transport Committee also submitting its report.