The port of Ranong, appointed by the Customs Department, boasts the highest lighthouse in Thailand and is found off the coast of the Andaman Sea. This vibrant port plays a crucial role in an imminent southern land bridge megaproject that promises to boost the region’s economy and enhance the connectedness of the nation’s territories.
An influential figure who is eager for this project to press ahead is Wichai Sudsawat, an MP from the coalition Unitied Thai Nation (UTN) Party. Hailing from the province of Chumphon, he expressed his worry about the future of the crucial endeavor before the House recently. According to Sudsawat, his constituency, along with the rest of the southern region, stands a great deal to gain from this pathbreaking project set forth by the UTN with goals to amplify connectivity between land and marine infrastructure, thereby ushering in economic prosperity.
The scope of this ambitious project expands beyond Chumphon, says the MP, extending to include vital parts of the southern corridor, Ranong, Sirat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces. Sudsawat implored, “I’m urging the prime minister and the cabinet ministers to proceed with this megaproject”. The UTN party shares his optimism, asserting that the endeavor will resolve numerous issues the southern people are facing, and expedite the movement of cargo between Prachuap Khiri Khan and the southernmost regions.
However, the project is met with caution from certain quarters. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, who pointed out last week that the project necessitates a hefty amount of investment. The minister further added that other pressing matters such as environmental considerations and cost-effectiveness must also be weighed in with due seriousness while assessing the project.
The proposed magaproject envisions a land bridge between the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, connecting the provinces of Ranong and Chumphon. The idea of such connectivity, overlooked as a means to bolster transport and trade, has spanned over four decades. Several proposals share a common vision of ports on either side, complete with associated industries or industrial estates and a road-rail link to facilitate easy transport of goods.
Although it promises vast potential, these projects have faced opposition in the past, with protests chiefly from local inhabitants, citing environment-related concerns. However, in the name of progress and prosperity, advocates of the Southern land bridge megaproject continue to push ahead, hopeful to create a brighter economic future for the region.
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