Abhisit Criticizes Land Bridge Project, Proposes Southern Connect Rail

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva presented a critical analysis of the Land Bridge project during a parliamentary seminar held at Buri Sri Phu Hotel in Hat Yai on July 12, 2026, under the theme "Clear Southern Skies: Reviving Economy, Building Security, Improving Quality of Life."

Abhisit distinguished between the Land Bridge project and the party's alternative proposal, Southern Connect. He explained that the Land Bridge was designed primarily to create a new shipping route between the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand for foreign vessels. However, Abhisit expressed concern that the massive infrastructure project was based on unproven assumptions about user demand.

Citing studies by the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTPP), Abhisit argued the Land Bridge is not economically justified. "The time and cost savings are minimal," he stated, "because cargo must be loaded and unloaded multiple times, and the actual distance saved is very small."

Abhisit compared the project unfavorably to the Suez and Panama Canals, which save shipping companies weeks and months of travel time. "Ours only saves days or hours at best," he noted.

He cautioned that even industrial development—such as heavy industry or petrochemical facilities—would require asking whether the southern region should bear the costs. He also raised environmental and safety concerns about large vessels operating in Andaman tourist areas.

As an alternative, Abhisit proposed the Southern Connect plan: a comprehensive infrastructure network combining dual-track rail systems, electrical rail networks, and port developments that would link Thailand and Malaysia while benefiting southern residents. The system would connect with Malaysian and Singaporean rail networks and potentially integrate ports at Ranong and Ta Thap in Songkhla province.

"Southern Connect offers diverse land and rail infrastructure that connects both regions with potentially lower investment than Land Bridge, while better serving southern communities and facilitating the transport of local goods," Abhisit concluded.