The Ministry of Transport has ordered a delay of the Land Bridge project, established a tripartite committee to gather public opinions, and review the project to align with global developments, aiming to reach a conclusion within one year.
Mr. Siripong Angkasukulkiat, Deputy Minister of Transport. He revealed that the Ministry of Transport confirms the government will postpone the Land Bridge project operations, including not submitting the draft Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) Act and the Land Bridge project as previously studied by the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) to the Cabinet. This will continue until a thorough consultation with all sectors is conducted and a mutually accepted conclusion is reached to determine the appropriate project direction.
A tripartite committee has been established, comprising government, executive, and public representatives, chaired by him, to jointly define development strategies for the southern economy and assess the project's suitability according to local community needs. The target is to conclude the study and proposals within one year to establish an agreed framework for implementation.
"I must emphasize that the Land Bridge project has not been canceled yet. The reason for the delay and review stems from changing global circumstances, particularly conflicts in the Middle East affecting logistics and global supply chains. This has prompted the government to reconsider whether Thailand should develop additional freight transport options to enhance the country's long-term competitiveness. Upon re-examination, it became clear that public opinions are diverse, which is why the Ministry of Transport must hold further public consultations before deciding how to proceed with the project."
Regarding whether the Land Bridge project will proceed under the current government, it is too early to conclude. This depends on the outcomes of discussions with local communities, as several critical issues remain to be jointly considered, including development strategies for the southern economy, impacts on residents' livelihoods, suitability of development models, whether the SEC will resemble the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), appropriateness of port construction sites, development of both sides of the area, and other details requiring careful joint deliberation.