Thai government plans 50-year concession for Land Bridge megaproject

[webfact]

 

The Thai government is contemplating a 50-year concession for the successful bidder of the Land Bridge megaproject, a venture worth one trillion baht and projected to break even within 24 years. This was revealed by Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit during the Thailand Landbridge Roadshow event in Tokyo, Japan, where he and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin sought to attract Japanese investors.

 

Suriya stated that the winning bidder would receive a comprehensive 50-year concession encompassing shipping lines, logistics, port management, property development, and industrial investment management. He also revealed plans for a new law that would facilitate the surrounding areas’ development, based on a cost-benefit analysis.

 

Thailand’s strategic geographic position and extensive transport network make it an ideal candidate for becoming a logistics hub. The Land Bridge project, linking Chumphon on the Gulf of Thailand’s eastern coast to Ranong on the Andaman Sea, could effectively reduce transport times and logistics costs by avoiding the Malacca Strait’s congestion.

 

Prime Minister Srettha, addressing the roadshow attended by nearly 30 Japanese companies, highlighted the Land Bridge as a viable alternative for feeder ships when the Malacca Strait traffic is projected to surpass its capacity by 2030.

The project will purportedly reduce transport times by five days and save at least 4% on logistics costs for goods moving from Japan, China, and South Korea to Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East. A similar reduction in time and costs is expected on routes between eastern China, Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Southeast Asia, Central Asia, and Middle Eastern countries.

 

by Mitch Connor

Photo courtesy of Royal Thai Government

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2023-12-19

 

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[BenStark]

5 minutes ago, webfact said:

The Thai government is contemplating a 50-year concession for the successful bidder of the Land Bridge megaproject, a venture worth one trillion baht and projected to break even within 24 years.

 

They may want to consult with Walter Bau in Germany, who built the Don Muang tollway,n about that

[seajae]

This has been ruled out several times already so really have to wonder which thais are looking at investing in it if it is given the go ahead and just how close they are to the pm & thaksin plus who is the one behind it all, these politicians cannot be trusted to do anything unless there is something in it for them

[mfd101]

Of course extensive ecological studies will have been undertaken already so the effects on tides, sands, fishing and local populace will have been fully considered and the necessary actions will be included in the regulations for the concession ...

[hotchilli]

I on't think anyone's really interested in investing that heavily in Thailand.

[zzaa09]

Who really benefits?

 

[mokwit]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The Thai government is contemplating a 50-year concession for the successful bidder of the Land Bridge megaproject

Someone would actually have to bid for there to be a successful bidder. Maybe Gordon Wu is up for another project in Thailand.

[khunPer]

Little hard to see that saving 4% on the freight rate might not be that interesting.

[Pib]

If it's such a great idea why don't the govt just fund and build the land bridge.  Oh, I forgot, Thailand does not have the funding or expertise to do so...nor do they want to take the risk of going it alone.

 

[Scouse123]

6 hours ago, BenStark said:

 

They may want to consult with Walter Bau in Germany, who built the Don Muang tollway,n about that

 

Tell us more.

[BenStark]

4 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

 

Tell us more.

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30165581

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE7783WM/

[Scouse123]

5 minutes ago, BenStark said:

 

https://www.nationthailand.com/business/30165581

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE7783WM/

 

 

 

Oh dear!

 

Not good at all.

[Jumbo1968]

You unload the containers from a ship at one side of Thailand then you transport them to another ship by rail to the other side of the country for their onward destination, you’re doubling the costs already. It would also mean developing 2 new ports.

The Thai government don’t want a canal as it would split the country in 2.

[mfd101]

On 12/19/2023 at 6:24 PM, Jumbo1968 said:

You unload the containers from a ship at one side of Thailand then you transport them to another ship by rail to the other side of the country for their onward destination, you’re doubling the costs already. It would also mean developing 2 new ports.

The Thai government don’t want a canal as it would split the country in 2.

Ah, so that's the cunning plan, is it? The canal you have when you didn't dig for water.