Land Bridge: A Project for No one

[webfact]

The Land Bridge project, a flagship initiative under the leadership of Srettha Thavisin, has been touted as the catalyst for Thailand’s economic growth engine.

 

However, despite the government’s fervent promotion, the project has failed to attract concrete interest both internationally and domestically. This piece delves into the geopolitical intricacies surrounding the Land Bridge project, examining the lack of alignment with major players, particularly China, and its implications on Thailand’s foreign policy.

 

China’s Geopolitical Priorities and the Malacca Dilemma:

 

China’s geopolitical strategy plays a pivotal role in understanding the fate of the Land Bridge project. The Malacca Dilemma, a situation where China heavily relies on the Strait of Malacca for its energy imports, has driven the nation to seek alternative routes.

 

Surprisingly, the Land Bridge project has failed to capture China’s interest, as evidenced by their preference for investments in Myanmar. China’s substantial investments in Myanmar, such as the deep-sea port in Kyaukphyu, Rakhine State, and the Sino-Myanmar pipeline projects, highlight the country’s commitment to securing alternative routes and protecting its strategic interests.

 

By Serichon

 

Full story: THAI ENQUIRER 2024-01-26

 

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[JoePai]

Would make far more sense for China to build a high speed rail link to Kyaukphyu. They could send their containers there to be picked up by ships and so save the trip via the Malacca Straights

[stupidfarang]

Why a land bridge? ships have to dock, unload the containers, load containers on to rail wagons or trucks, drive across to Chunphon, off load containers, load back onto ships. There is an interesting article on this (written 2021) https://futuresoutheastasia.com/ranong-asias-pathway-to-the-west/

[lordgrinz]

1 minute ago, stupidfarang said:

Why a land bridge? ships have to dock, unload the containers, load containers on to rail wagons or trucks, drive across to Chunphon, off load containers, load back onto ships. There is an interesting article on this (written 2021)  https://futuresoutheastasia.com/ranong-asias-pathway-to-the-west/

 

I can't see where this makes any economic sense, more like a boondoggle.

[stupidfarang]

4 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

 

I can't see where this makes any economic sense, more like a boondoggle.

I think most farangs on here would think the same with regards to the economic side of things, in the link I posted it said the same thing. 

[retarius]

I suspect some people in government will become very rich, or even more rich, if this gimmick goes ahead. Years and years ago, some independent authority estimated that 1/3 to 1/2 of all expenses in public build in Thailand goes in graft....and we all saw how wealthy Supoj got when he was Permanent Secretary of transportation. 

[redwood1]

2 hours ago, stupidfarang said:

Why a land bridge? ships have to dock, unload the containers, load containers on to rail wagons or trucks, drive across to Chunphon, off load containers, load back onto ships. There is an interesting article on this (written 2021) https://futuresoutheastasia.com/ranong-asias-pathway-to-the-west/

 

Exactly......A few days more cruising and you would not have to offload or move any thing....The whole idea is just stupid......

 

Can you imagine the cost to dock, offload, transport, stack, and then upload.......The cost would be huge.....

 

Or just sit on your azz for anther day or 2 and you would be on the other side....With only the cost of the oil you burned...

[ChrisY1]

It has to happen...at least announce it will, so the politicians can but land!

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, webfact said:

The Land Bridge project, a flagship initiative under the leadership of Srettha Thavisin, has been touted as the catalyst for Thailand’s economic growth engine.

Skimmers paradise.

[hotchilli]

4 hours ago, JoePai said:

Would make far more sense for China to build a high speed rail link to Kyaukphyu. They could send their containers there to be picked up by ships and so save the trip via the Malacca Straights

This is Chinas real option.... The Land bridge is slow and costly.

[BritScot]

Thailand needs to employ some Huti/Somalia pirates, then the land bridge might even become a canal as well... lol. 

[Serenity_Now]

they dont need Thailand except to complete the Vientiane link

the Chinese put out many avenues to see what came to fruition

the Malay east coast rail line agreed by najib

stalled by dr m 
until he renegotiated a better deal with the Chinese knocking off over a third of the agreed price
thats how much they wanted that line completed

Thailand played hardball somehow got greedy so unlike them

they failed
11 m tourists a year no longer
belt road will take it through Malaysia through their ports thats the land bridge

the sungai kolok rail line could be upgraded but this road bridge is a non starter 

buyer beware look at sri lanka 

[Gknrd]

All depends on how and if China is hit with sanctions or the water ways become dangerous. It is intended strictly for China. Look at a map. Only thing that could muck this up is India. China better start bending over and kissing India's A$$. 

[natway09]

This is what the deep sea port in Diwai (Myanmar) was for.

Thai Government spent billions upgrading the road from Tak to Maesot to take heavy trucks & Ital Thai was building infrastructure in Myanmar.

[kingstonkid]

On 1/26/2024 at 8:39 AM, webfact said:

The Land Bridge project, a flagship initiative under the leadership of Srettha Thavisin, has been touted as the catalyst for Thailand’s economic growth engine.

 

However, despite the government’s fervent promotion, the project has failed to attract concrete interest both internationally and domestically. This piece delves into the geopolitical intricacies surrounding the Land Bridge project, examining the lack of alignment with major players, particularly China, and its implications on Thailand’s foreign policy.

 

China’s Geopolitical Priorities and the Malacca Dilemma:

 

China’s geopolitical strategy plays a pivotal role in understanding the fate of the Land Bridge project. The Malacca Dilemma, a situation where China heavily relies on the Strait of Malacca for its energy imports, has driven the nation to seek alternative routes.

 

Surprisingly, the Land Bridge project has failed to capture China’s interest, as evidenced by their preference for investments in Myanmar. China’s substantial investments in Myanmar, such as the deep-sea port in Kyaukphyu, Rakhine State, and the Sino-Myanmar pipeline projects, highlight the country’s commitment to securing alternative routes and protecting its strategic interests.

 

By Serichon

 

Full story: THAI ENQUIRER 2024-01-26

 

- 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

 

PTP is grabbing at straws to find ways to make the Thai people think they are doing good.  

 

If this was a great deal and there was a lot of money to be made, I am sure that many THAI families would be stepping up to the trough.

 

There is a great deal of money to be made by the PTP and friends simply in contracts to investigate the feasibility contracts to study economics and, of course, the contract for the environment.

 

 

We all know the outcomes but thas never stopped the trough from filling  I am sure Siam Cement for one would really like this to go through