Thailand to push one trillion baht land bridge plan to Cabinet
Thailand's transport minister plans to submit a 1 trillion baht "land bridge" megaproject to Cabinet in June, creating a transshipment route between the Indian and Pacific oceans via ports on the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand.
BANGKOK — 25 April 2026, Thailand's transport minister said he plans to submit a proposed "land bridge" megaproject to the Cabinet in June, aiming to capitalise on potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz while insisting the state will not fund the scheme.
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the project, estimated at around 1 trillion baht, would link ports on the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, creating a transshipment route between the Indian and Pacific oceans.
He said the plan aligns with earlier remarks by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul that the project should proceed, citing possible future instability in the Strait of Hormuz as an opportunity for Thailand.
Responding to criticism that transferring cargo between ports would increase shipping times, Phiphat said more than 90% of global container shipping involves transshipment rather than direct end-to-end delivery.
"If cargo is transferred at Thailand's ports, it would also have to be transferred elsewhere, such as in Singapore," he said, adding that Thailand is seeking to attract more transshipment traffic.
Phiphat said feasibility studies by the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning have been completed, and he will conduct a site visit in May. The project is expected to be opened to bidding for both domestic and foreign investors, with equal opportunities.
Construction could begin later this year, pending Cabinet approval, which he expects to seek between June and July.
He stressed that the government would not directly invest in the project but would grant land concessions to private investors.
Environmental and health impact assessments will be required, he said, acknowledging local concerns. Authorities will engage with communities to address opposition and clarify information, which he suggested may be influenced by activist groups.
Phiphat said the government aims to open the project for investment in the third quarter of 2026.
