Thailand’s Transport Ministry is in fervent pursuit of investors for an ambitious megaproject – The Land Bridge. This bold endeavour aims at connecting Chumphon, perched on the Gulf of Thailand’s eastern coastline, to Ranong, gracing the Andaman Sea landscape. The mission to secure financial backing for this monumental project will take the quest overseas with roadshows planned for China, Europe, and the United States. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit shed light on these pivotal advancements in the project while addressing queries raised by Wichai Sudsawat, a distinguished Member of Parliament for the United Thai Nation (UTN) Party, hailing from Chumphon.
During a crucial parliamentary session, Wichai voiced concerns over the potential adverse impacts this mammoth undertaking could have on the livelihood of his subjects. These concerns were stoked by previous remarks from Suriya, underlining significant investment costs and environmental hurdles associated with this project. Introduced by the progressive Prayut-Chan-o-cha government two years prior, the Land Bridge Project is an intrinsic initiative geared towards thrusting Thailand’s economy forward. This is in perfect synchrony with the lauded Eastern Economic Corridor project and perfectly fits into the tapestry of the country’s 20-year national strategy.
The envisaged trajectory for the Land Bridge project encompasses fortifying connectivity in the southern Andaman region via developing a comprehensive mass transit system. Currently, in its diligent study phase, Suriya shared that the project is being meticulously dissected by the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP). A directive has been issued to all concerned agencies to proceed with prudence to negate any adverse impacts on people’s lives. According to Suriya, the Land Bridge project, although primarily economically driven, is geared towards enhancing living conditions and ushering in a wave of development.
Panya Chupanich, OTP director, revealed that an exhaustive feasibility study and an environmental impact assessment are underway. Capital requirements for the Land Bridge project hover around an estimated 1 trillion baht and is envisioned to be fully financed by private funding. Panya stated that the government’s role would be primarily confined to land expropriation. The project has piqued the interest of three foreign investors, and in a bid to attract additional investors, the ministry has set its sights on international landscapes via roadshows in potential investor-rich territories namely China, Europe, and the US, as per reports from the Bangkok Post.
In a concerted effort to have a holistic perspective on the project, a public hearing will be convened to gather inputs from all sectors, including civil and private. This collected data will be leveraged to fortify the viability of the feasibility study, according to Panya. Stay updated with the latest developments through Thaiger’s all-encompassing Facebook page.
Be First to Comment