Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn is preparing to submit Thailand’s proposed land bridge project to the Cabinet in June, with an estimated value of 1 trillion baht. The project aims to link ports on the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, positioning the country as a strategic logistics hub amid potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The government insists it will not fund the project directly, instead offering land concessions to attract private investment.
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The proposal follows earlier remarks by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who said the project should move forward given possible future instability in the Strait of Hormuz. Officials believe the development could allow Thailand to capitalise on global shipping uncertainties by enabling cargo transfers between the two coasts. The plan focuses on creating dual seaports to connect maritime routes across the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Phiphat addressed criticism that container transfers would cause delays, arguing that more than 90 percent of global container shipping already involves transshipment rather than direct delivery. He said cargo is routinely consolidated and redistributed at major ports, and Thailand could benefit by becoming a new transshipment hub. He added that ships stopping in Thailand would not face unique delays, as similar processes already occur in established hubs such as Singapore.
The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning has completed its initial survey, and Phiphat said he will conduct site visits in May. The exact starting point for construction will depend on investor interest, with both domestic and international bidders invited to participate on equal terms. The Ministry of Transport is expected to seek Cabinet approval between June and July, with the goal of launching the project within this year.
The total investment is estimated at around 1 trillion baht, but the government will only provide land concessions while private investors fund development. Authorities confirmed that an Environmental and Health Impact Assessment will be required, acknowledging existing local opposition. Phiphat said officials will engage with communities to address concerns and clarify information, noting that some resistance may be influenced by misinformation.
Amarin reported that Phiphat plans to inspect the project area in May and open the project to investors in the third quarter of this year. If approved by the Cabinet, the initiative could mark a major shift in Thailand’s logistics strategy and its role in global shipping routes.
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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 26 Apr 2026
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