Thailand’s Land Bridge project, a major infrastructure initiative resembling a proposed shortcut through Southeast Asia, dominated the recent mobile Cabinet meeting in Ranong. Residents expressed apprehensions to Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, highlighting potential environmental damage and disruptions to their lifestyle.

 

In the face of forecasted stagnant GDP growth, the government views the Land Bridge project as a promising solution for attracting large-scale foreign investment. The funding for this initiative is anticipated to come from the private sector through a public-private partnership (PPP).

 

This proposed logistics shortcut, featuring deep-sea ports, railways, and a new economic zone, is not a novel idea for Southeast Asia. The Dawei economic zone in Myanmar, which remains suspended, aimed to establish a new logistics route connecting inland freight within Southeast Asia to a Dawei port, effectively bypassing the Malacca Strait.

 

by Alex Morgan

Photo courtesy of iStock

 

Full story: The Thaiger 2024-01-29

 

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You can always tell a crappy project when the reason for its proposal keeps on changing. 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

In the face of forecasted stagnant GDP growth, the government views the Land Bridge project as a promising solution for attracting large-scale foreign investment.

It will do nothing for the economy of Thailand.. but a huge windfall by the way of investment coming into Thailand to be skimmed off by the elites.

I still can't see the advantage to build a road instead of a canal. But in general I would deny the need of this connection as planned.🙏

F e k k local communities, f e k k the Environment, f e k k pollution, f e k k Climate Change, the economy and money are all that matter stupid!

 But hey! Global comeuppance is coming and, as my dear old grandad used to say with a chuckle when things looked bad: "We are all going to hell in a hand cart!"

Edited January 29, 20242 yr by SunsetT

Absolute idiotic idea. I drove the route a week ago. Locals firmly against it, signs up everywhere. Unload, load, unload load on to a different ship? Gonna be a long cargo falling off the back of the truck

Canal or Nothing , too much work unloading 

This is a Chinese Deal , who cares about China 

11 minutes ago, Irish star said:

This is a Chinese Deal , who cares about China 

Everybody is running to China queuing for the Renminbi. Where have you been the last two years? The Chinese Narrative trend!

19 minutes ago, Irish star said:

Canal or Nothing , too much work unloading 

They will do a "proof of concept" construction of an oil pipeline as that is what China wants the most. China won't use it absent a blockade as it will be cheaper for tankers to sail 'round, just want it there if needed.

Edited January 30, 20242 yr by mokwit