Thai government officials inspect 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge megaproject amid environmental concerns

[webfact]

by Mitch Connor

 

 Photo courtesy of Government House

On January 21, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit embarked on an official visit to the Andaman region, with Ranong, the site of the 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge megaproject, as their first stop. The project, expected to generate significant benefits across the southern region, is facing criticism due to its potential environmental impact.

 

The officials inspected a construction site at Laem Son National Park in the Kapoe district before heading to Laem Ao Ang in the Muang district. Here, they received a comprehensive report from the project committee focusing on areas requiring reclamation and a spatial plan for bridge piers to support the local fishery industry.

 

The Land Bridge megaproject, which aims to connect Ranong province with Chumphon province, comprises deep-water ports in both provinces, an interconnecting motorway, and a railway system. The project, costing 1 trillion baht (US$28 billion), also aims to alleviate congestion on the Strait of Malacca, through which 60% of the world’s oil supply passes, reported Bangkok Post.

 

“Constructing a megaproject that links the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea to the world is important to lessen congestion,” stated Prime Minister Srettha. “It will also bring development to the country, as it can influence more foreign investors.”

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-23

 

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[peter zwart]

I wonder who will benefit most of it

[ChrisY1]

IMO, this is an utter pipe dream.....the only "investors"..would be the Chinese or the taxpayers

[Guderian]

Some of us fall asleep at night helped by counting sheep. Thai politicians must nod off dreaming about the percentages of giant construction contracts they'll be able to skim off the top.

[IAMHERE]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

also aims to alleviate congestion on the Strait of Malacca, through which 60% of the world’s oil supply passes, reported Bangkok Post.

Well then, wouldn't just a pipeline do to unload oil on one end and load up a ship at the other end?  Sure don't want to see tanker trucks transporting oil or even a railroad car.

[BritScot]

6 hours ago, peter zwart said:

I wonder who will benefit most of it

Well a little photo op doing something that could have been done in a nice aircon office. Why not add a canal and 2 International airports and make the rail link high speed, Oh and a space rocket lanch pad on the gulf side and a space rocket landing pad on the Andaman sea side and a cycle lane..... lol crazy..

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, Guderian said:

Some of us fall asleep at night helped by counting sheep. Thai politicians must nod off dreaming about the percentages of giant construction contracts they'll be able to skim off the top.

The bank books under the pillow allow them to sleep peacefully.

[Stocky]

2 hours ago, IAMHERE said:

Well then, wouldn't just a pipeline do to unload oil on one end and load up a ship at the other end?  Sure don't want to see tanker trucks transporting oil or even a railroad car.

 

That I believe is the intention. Oil terminals/Tank Farms at either end connected by pipeline(s).

 

 

https://www.thaipbsworld.com/transport-minister-vows-to-press-ahead-with-land-bridge-mega-project/

 

.

[snoop1130]

PM Optimistic About Land Bridge Project's Benefits

 

 

BANGKOK (NNT) - Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has expressed confidence in the potential benefits of the 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge megaproject for Thailand's southern region. The project, which seeks to connect Ranong with Chumphon, includes the development of deep-water ports, a motorway, and a railway system.

 

Since arriving in Ranong yesterday (Jan 22), the Prime Minister, along with Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, has inspected the construction site at Laem Son National Park and received updates at Laem Ao Ang. The project is expected to alleviate congestion on the Strait of Malacca, a key global oil route, and to promote development and foreign investment in Thailand.

 

Despite the project's early stages and ongoing public hearings, concerns have been raised about its environmental impact and effects on the local fishery industry. The Rak Phato Network, a conservationist group from Chumphon province, has voiced apprehensions about the project's potential harm to sea biodiversity.

 

In response, the government is planning further studies on the environmental impact and exploring opportunities in wellness tourism for Ranong. Srettha assured that the project, if successful, would bring diverse opportunities to the Andaman region.

 

Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara announced recently that the cabinet is set to approve a 447-million-baht budget for 20 Quick Win projects in the Andaman region, to be discussed during a mobile cabinet meeting on Jan 23.

 

By Krajangwit Johjit

 

Full story: NNT 2024-01-23

 

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[Mavideol]

9 hours ago, peter zwart said:

I wonder who will benefit most of it

China/Chinese comes to mind 555

[snoop1130]

Locals Submit Petition Opposing Land Bridge Project

 

 

RANONG, Jan 23 (TNA) – Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin affirmed consideration of the Land Bridge project from all aspects after receiving a petition from a local network, opposing the project and calling for a review on the results of the project study.

 

After the conclusion of the cabinet meeting in Ranong, the prime minister traveled to Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Ranong campus, to receive a petition opposing the construction of the Land Bridge project from the local community network “Rak Pha To,” in Chumphon Province.

 

The network expressed concerns over the project’s academic standards, lack of community participation, and suggested the formation of a collaborative working group involving politicians, government agencies, and local residents to jointly assess and scrutinize the project.

 

Full story: Thai News Agency 2024-01-23

 

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[khunpeer]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

by Mitch Connor

 

 Photo courtesy of Government House

On January 21, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit embarked on an official visit to the Andaman region, with Ranong, the site of the 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge megaproject, as their first stop. The project, expected to generate significant benefits across the southern region, is facing criticism due to its potential environmental impact.

 

The officials inspected a construction site at Laem Son National Park in the Kapoe district before heading to Laem Ao Ang in the Muang district. Here, they received a comprehensive report from the project committee focusing on areas requiring reclamation and a spatial plan for bridge piers to support the local fishery industry.

 

The Land Bridge megaproject, which aims to connect Ranong province with Chumphon province, comprises deep-water ports in both provinces, an interconnecting motorway, and a railway system. The project, costing 1 trillion baht (US$28 billion), also aims to alleviate congestion on the Strait of Malacca, through which 60% of the world’s oil supply passes, reported Bangkok Post.

 

“Constructing a megaproject that links the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea to the world is important to lessen congestion,” stated Prime Minister Srettha. “It will also bring development to the country, as it can influence more foreign investors.”

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-23

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

if anything that could open up that area it is a CHANNEL like Panama or Suez

now with this "Land-Bridge"  ships go to Prachuab, off load and ship on truck or train, then off load back in ships in Ranong and continue their journey...

to much hassle imho

[happysoul]

I wonder if they approched shipowners to know if there is interest in such a project. Would they prefer needing 2 vessels instead of one on the existing Singapore route ? Would the unloading, transfer and loading really be quicker than the existing route ? And would they trust Thais during the transfer ? I doubt it's a viable solution.

 

A canal would be a better solution regarding viability but will for sure deteriorate relations with Singapore.

[connda]

฿1 Trillion THB land-bridge.  ฿500 Billion THB as a "legal" way to get votes by promising to 10K to each Thai.  Who knows how much for submarines that a country like Thailand doesn't need except for ASEAN bragging rights.  And as long as they have the Central Bank taps cranked wide open, pork-barrel spending on whatever the Thai elites want that will benefit primarily themselves while throwing the table-scraps to the common-folk.
Oh well  The world's elites are doing the same globally. 

Up next - A tidal-wave of inflation which will economically impoverish all but the wealthy. 
So much for happiness to the people.

[hotchilli]

23 hours ago, webfact said:

On January 21, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit embarked on an official visit to the Andaman region, with Ranong, the site of the 1-trillion-baht Land Bridge megaproject, as their first stop. The project, expected to generate significant benefits across the southern region, is facing criticism due to its potential environmental impact.

Benefits to who exactly....

[newbee2022]

14 hours ago, happysoul said:

I wonder if they approched shipowners to know if there is interest in such a project. Would they prefer needing 2 vessels instead of one on the existing Singapore route ? Would the unloading, transfer and loading really be quicker than the existing route ? And would they trust Thais during the transfer ? I doubt it's a viable solution.

 

A canal would be a better solution regarding viability but will for sure deteriorate relations with Singapore.

Probably the land bridge would be more profitable....for Thai people. But I doubt it will make sense for International shipping companies. How many trucks (or train) you would need for a 100.000 ton container carrier? Not talking about the time it will need to unload and load again on the other side. ????

[Srikcir]

18 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

receiving a petition from a local network, opposing the project and calling for a review on the results of the project study.

Don't let this project become another local and national issue like the construction of housing for judges on the forested foothills of Chiang Mai's Doi Suthep mountain through a donation by the Military without any public review of the project. There the 1,250 protesters focused on environmental issues having been ignored in the transfer of land possessed by the military. Just as the local community was ignored in PM Prayut's creation of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

You otherwise continue to associate yourselves with military prerogatives.

[Stocky]

3 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Just as the local community was ignored in PM Prayut's creation of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).

Or the local people of Chana (Songkhla) who oppose the Chana Industrial City Project, though that's still being contested.