PM intends to pursue Pak Bara seaport project

[Lite Beer]

PM intends to pursue Pak Bara seaport project
The Sunday Nation

BANGKOK: -- The Pak Bara deep-seaport project in Satun seems to have been revived after Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha made a commitment to pursue it under his administration's plan to launch a number of mega-investment projects.

The other projects under the seven-year strategic infrastructure development plan include railway projects that would improve metropolitan and inter-city connectivity.

Speaking about the controversial Pak Bara Deep Sea Port project on his weekly TV show on Friday, Prayut said: "I ask that conflicts in this area be halted. The government will help those affected by this project."

Mooted for more than a decade, the project has been fiercely opposed by environmentalists and locals.

Prayut said the port would be Thailand's gateway to the Andaman Sea, linking the country with Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Among the major infrastructure jobs on the drawing board are the Seaport "A" development project, the Laem Chabang Seaport project and the phase-two extension of Suvarnabhumi Airport, allowing it to handle up to 30 million passengers a year.

In addition, the government plans to extend Phuket International Airport, allowing it to accommodate up to 12.5 million passengers annually, and turn U-tapao Airport into the country's third international airport.

Thailand is cooperating with China and Japan in rail projects.

Prayut said all of the aforementioned projects were considered arteries for the country that would nourish the economy.

The government is forging ahead with all efforts to make these projects become a reality, he added.

"We must inform the public of what we are going to do and not let the people know afterwards.

"We will not do things without your consent or understanding," he said, adding that the government will enhance the competitiveness of Thailand, making it the region's

economic hub and a major player on the global stage.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/PM-intends-to-pursue-Pak-Bara-seaport-project-30258266.html

-- The Nation 2015-04-19

[BSJ]

'"We must inform the public of what we are going to do and not let the people know afterwards.' Ok, give us the cost estimates NOW. Not the pie-in-the-sky numbers, the real cost, waiting???

[lemonjelly]

Goodbye Taruto Marine Park..... The locals will never forgive Chan Ocha for this, they are deeply protective of their local natural beauty.

[NongKhaiKid]

'"We must inform the public of what we are going to do and not let the people know afterwards.' Ok, give us the cost estimates NOW. Not the pie-in-the-sky numbers, the real cost, waiting???

For a junta that only took over to stablise the country they are getting involved in many big, expensive and long term projects.

i suppose this means they will HAVE to stick around to see the programmes through.

Edited April 19, 2015 by NongKhaiKid

[dru2]

'In addition, the government plans to extend Phuket International Airport, allowing it to accommodate up to 12.5 million passengers annually, and turn U-tapao Airport into the country's third international airport'...

Chiang Mai is already the country's third international airport, with regular flights to numerous destinations in China, as well as Korea, Taiwan, Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore - rather more than Phuket, in fact. Where does The Nation get these incompetent and uninformed reporters?

[smutcakes]

The Junta for some reason unbeknownst seems desperate to get stuck into as many huge costly projects as possible as a matter of urgency....

I wonder why that could be....

Surely they should be concentrating on reform......

[smutcakes]

I wonder if this is being down on behest of the Chinese.....

[casindonet]

With A-44, the environmentalists & locals have no say. The environment issues will just have to take a backseat.

[ourmanflint]

How great. As mentioned Taruatao national park will be no more if this goes through. The last natural paradise of an island in Thailand will be gone for good.

[yellowboat]

How great. As mentioned Taruatao national park will be no more if this goes through. The last natural paradise of an island in Thailand will be gone for good.

So true, this is what happens when a leader usurps power and is answerable to to nobody.

[DeaconJohn]

Goodbye Taruto Marine Park..... The locals will never forgive Chan Ocha for this, they are deeply protective of their local natural beauty.

Agreed.

Bad idea... sink it.

It will mean pollution on a massive scale.

Now is the time for environmental groups to mobilize.

[Srikcir]

The Pak Bara deep-seaport might also serve as a good location for a submarine base.

[Old Man River]

That will probably be Satahip (berths would be widened).

[cornishcarlos]

This guy is definitely settling in for the long term.

Once they sniff that trough, there is no turning back.

Plus with A-44 in effect, he will never answer for his "crimes"...

[Old Man River]

This guy is definitely settling in for the long term.

Once they sniff that trough, there is no turning back.

Plus with A-44 in effect, he will never answer for his "crimes"...

The project, which ultimately will include ports in Pak Bara and Songhla connected by a land bridge (rail) and oil bridge (pipeline) appears to be going forward. Over 80% of Middle Eastern oil headed to China, SK and Japan goes through the Malaccan Straits.

The PM has said several times Thailand needs to be more like Singapore, and Singapore makes huge amounts of foreign exchange with its adjacent port system.

If transport costs can be lowered as projected using the Thai transportation system, Thailand cannot afford not to do this.

[dru2]

That will probably be Satahip (berths would be widened).

Satahip? Berths may be widened, but the Gulf of Thailand will remain too shallow for submarine deployment - have to be on the Andaman side, surely?

[Old Man River]

That will probably be Satahip (berths would be widened).

Satahip? Berths may be widened, but the Gulf of Thailand will remain too shallow for submarine deployment - have to be on the Andaman side, surely?

You are right probably right. Is it too shallow for modern day war ships as well?

[cornishcarlos]

This guy is definitely settling in for the long term.

Once they sniff that trough, there is no turning back.

Plus with A-44 in effect, he will never answer for his "crimes"...

The project, which ultimately will include ports in Pak Bara and Songhla connected by a land bridge (rail) and oil bridge (pipeline) appears to be going forward. Over 80% of Middle Eastern oil headed to China, SK and Japan goes through the Malaccan Straits.

The PM has said several times Thailand needs to be more like Singapore, and Singapore makes huge amounts of foreign exchange with its adjacent port system.

If transport costs can be lowered as projected using the Thai transportation system, Thailand cannot afford not to do this.

I wasn't talking about this project in particular...

BTW, how many pristine beaches has Singapore got near their profitable port system ??

[Old Man River]

This guy is definitely settling in for the long term.

Once they sniff that trough, there is no turning back.

Plus with A-44 in effect, he will never answer for his "crimes"...

The project, which ultimately will include ports in Pak Bara and Songhla connected by a land bridge (rail) and oil bridge (pipeline) appears to be going forward. Over 80% of Middle Eastern oil headed to China, SK and Japan goes through the Malaccan Straits.

The PM has said several times Thailand needs to be more like Singapore, and Singapore makes huge amounts of foreign exchange with its adjacent port system.

If transport costs can be lowered as projected using the Thai transportation system, Thailand cannot afford not to do this.

I wasn't talking about this project in particular...

BTW, how many pristine beaches has Singapore got near their profitable port system ??

I can't remember ever being at a beach in Singapore, but they keep building hotels.

[cornishcarlos]

This guy is definitely settling in for the long term.

Once they sniff that trough, there is no turning back.

Plus with A-44 in effect, he will never answer for his "crimes"...

The project, which ultimately will include ports in Pak Bara and Songhla connected by a land bridge (rail) and oil bridge (pipeline) appears to be going forward. Over 80% of Middle Eastern oil headed to China, SK and Japan goes through the Malaccan Straits.

The PM has said several times Thailand needs to be more like Singapore, and Singapore makes huge amounts of foreign exchange with its adjacent port system.

If transport costs can be lowered as projected using the Thai transportation system, Thailand cannot afford not to do this.

I wasn't talking about this project in particular...

BTW, how many pristine beaches has Singapore got near their profitable port system ??

I can't remember ever being at a beach in Singapore, but they keep building hotels.

Exactly

[dru2]

That will probably be Satahip (berths would be widened).

Satahip? Berths may be widened, but the Gulf of Thailand will remain too shallow for submarine deployment - have to be on the Andaman side, surely?

You are right probably right. Is it too shallow for modern day war ships as well?

Certainly not too shallow for destroyers and smaller vessels that are all that may be required to defend Thailand's territorial waters from Cambodia (overlapping maritime claims)... But aircraft carrriers? Submarines? Makes no strategic sense.

[Old Man River]

That will probably be Satahip (berths would be widened).

Satahip? Berths may be widened, but the Gulf of Thailand will remain too shallow for submarine deployment - have to be on the Andaman side, surely?

You are right probably right. Is it too shallow for modern day war ships as well?

Certainly not too shallow for destroyers and smaller vessels that are all that may be required to defend Thailand's territorial waters from Cambodia (overlapping maritime claims)... But aircraft carrriers? Submarines? Makes no strategic sense.

For Thailand, I agree. I just wonder with the U.S. pulling out as the check and balance, if given Thai approval, how wide a door opens for the Chinese as it pertains to the Gulf?

[kickstart]

With all this mega projects about the only thing the the pm is waiting for, is another loan from the World Bank or IMF, there is no way the country can afford all these projects,

Thailand PLC is not doing well without all these additional spending.

Military personnel are military men, not politicians. history has a habit of repeating itself.

[Old Man River]

With all this mega projects about the only thing the the pm is waiting for, is another loan from the World Bank or IMF, there is no way the country can afford all these projects,

Thailand PLC is not doing well without all these additional spending.

Military personnel are military men, not politicians. history has a habit of repeating itself.

There is the new Chinese infrastructural bank, supported by many western countries, for projects just like this.

[tonbridgebrit]

Yes, the port would be Thailand's gateway to the Andaman Sea, linking the country with Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

And there is going to be a railway line connecting Thailand with China, through Laos. Basically, Chinese goods will flow from China to Thailand, and then shipped to Europe from this port. The project might make sense. Whatever happens, the present situation of ships sailing from China through Singapore and then to the Indian Ocean does not make sense.

Actually, it would be more sensible to build that canal (not that far away from the proposed deep-sea port), and this would also mean not having to sail pass Singapore.