Transport minister scraps planned trip to proposed land bridge sites

Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has cancelled his planned trip, scheduled for May 8, to inspect proposed sites for the land bridge mega project, after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul ordered a new feasibility study of the project to be completed in 90 days.

The prime minister said yesterday that he ordered a complete revamp of the study because the old one was undertaken in a previous global context and the current global geo-political situation requires that it be revisited.

He stressed that Thailand needs its own strategy for a new maritime transportation alternative, to reduce dependence on current international maritime routes which place Thailand in a submissive position, citing the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz or the levy of exorbitant fees for the use of the strait.

Viewed in the context of the number of cargo containers and quantity of goods potentially using the land bridge project, the prime minister said that the benefits may be limited. From a broader viewpoint though, taking into account the convenience, speed and security, particularly food security, potentially provided by the project, he said Thailand will gain a massive advantage.

Dismissing public concerns that this project would only benefit big businesses and foreign investors, Anutin claimed that the government, under his leadership, has always held the public interest as its top priority.

Transport Minister Phiphat told the media today that he would rather wait for the completion of a new feasibility study, led by Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, before proceeding with the on-site inspection trip.

He also said that a new study has to be conducted to cover all aspects, especially the environmental impacts on the people affected by the project.

Regarding the increased opposition to the project by various environmental and study groups, Phiphat said that it is necessary for the government to try to reach out to the people affected to help them to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the project and in what ways they will be compensated.

He insisted that the land bridge project is completely different from the decades-old Kra Canal or Klong Thai project, which required the dredging of a canal between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, adding that the land bridge project has been the Bhumjaithai party’s flagship policy since 2019.