Phiphat is preparing to propose the Cabinet continue the land bridge project in June, valued at 1 trillion baht, capitalizing on the crisis in the Hormuz Strait. He affirmed the government will not provide funding but only grant land concessions for investment, while addressing public concerns about environmental impacts.
At 09:30 on 25 April at the Bhumjaithai Party headquarters, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, commented on Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s previous statement that the land bridge project should proceed. The Prime Minister noted that possible future issues in the Hormuz Strait present an opportunity for Thailand to develop ports on both the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand coasts to connect the two sides of the ocean.
Phiphat responded to criticism that container transshipment would waste time by urging critics to help verify this claim. He explained that over 90% of container ships carry transshipment cargo, meaning goods are consolidated and separated at ports for different destinations rather than transported 100% from one country to another. Therefore, the land bridge transshipment would not necessarily waste time, as cargo handled on the Thai coast would also be transshipped at Singapore. Currently, Thailand is encouraging increased transshipment activity.
Regarding the project timeline, Phiphat stated that work will begin this year. The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) has completed its survey, and he plans to conduct an on-site inspection. The initial construction site will depend on investor decisions, with bidding open to both domestic and foreign investors on equal terms. However, Cabinet approval is required before proceeding.
When asked when the Ministry of Transport would submit the proposal to the Cabinet, Phiphat said it would likely be between June and July. He emphasized efforts to expedite the presentation within this year.
The budget is estimated at approximately 1 trillion baht, but Thailand will not invest directly. The government will solely grant land concessions and allow investors to fund the project.
Regarding whether an Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) would be conducted, Phiphat confirmed it is necessary. He acknowledged existing concerns and stressed the need to negotiate with local communities to determine how much opposition is based on factual information. He suggested that some of the opposition might stem from NGOs already taking a confrontational stance, and that clarifications will be provided.
Phiphat added that he plans to visit the land bridge site in May and expects to open investment opportunities to investors in the third quarter of this year.