Korn leads Democrat Party MPs in urgently submitting a motion to establish a special committee to examine the Landbridge project, expressing concerns over the government's unusually hasty push to advance it.
At 2:30 p.m. on 29 Apr 2026 GMT+7, at the Parliament, Mr. Korn Chatikavanij, a party-list MP from the Democrat Party, together with southern and eastern region MPs from the party—including Mr. Juree Numkaew and Mr. Saksit Khaothong from Songkhla, Mr. Kan Tangpong and Mr. Kritichai Phakichan from Trang, Ms. Kanokporn Deddecho from Nakhon Si Thammarat, and Mr. Pasin Pitutescha from Rayong—held a joint press conference.
"The Democrat Party has urgently submitted a motion requesting the establishment of a special parliamentary committee to consider the Landbridge project. In recent days, this project has re-emerged in the news, showing an abnormal rush by the government to push forward a project valued at over one trillion baht. Such a project should be examined thoroughly, transparently, and carefully. What's unusual is the government's haste without providing clear, detailed information for interested parties to study. Moreover, this project was not part of the electoral platforms of either the ruling parties—Bhumjaithai and Pheu Thai—during the election period as submitted to the Election Commission."
Mr. Korn added that the recent policy address to Parliament also did not mention this project's details. Yet today, it has become a project the government claims to prioritize and is ready to push forward immediately. The Democrat Party has multiple concerns about this project, especially southern MPs from various provinces who have signed this motion to voice the worries of their constituents about the project's value. Many academics and analysts have expressed doubts about its cost-effectiveness. Private shipping companies have signaled to the Democrat Party that even if completed, it would not be worthwhile for them to use.
Mr. Korn further explained that if one thinks the Landbridge can save time transporting goods from the west to east compared to shipping through the Malacca Strait, that assumption should be reconsidered. The government's design involves multiple cargo transfers on and off ships, incurring costs and timing issues. Therefore, a project worth over one trillion baht risks abandonment by private operators who may choose not to use it. Moreover, this project was proposed without any detailed information or prior indication to the public during policy announcements. This issue is important and should be discussed in the House of Representatives.
The Democrat Party's deputy leader said that one trillion baht could be better used to develop the southern economy and improve the quality of life for southern residents through several projects. For example, the Democrat Party has proposed constructing a southern motorway connecting Narathiwat to Bangkok. This project would cost about 400 to 500 billion baht, plus upgrading rail transport for both passengers and freight through an electrified double-track railway system fully powered by electricity, estimated to cost an additional 100 to 150 billion baht. Additionally, deep-sea port projects on both the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand sides would require about another 100 billion baht.
Mr. Korn stated that overall, these three to four projects—including a railway linking directly to Malaysia, the motorway, and deep-sea ports on both coasts—would cost approximately 700 billion baht, which is less than the amount planned for the Landbridge project. The benefits of the Landbridge are unclear, its completion uncertain, and it is not evident who among southern residents or Thais nationwide would gain from it.
Therefore, the Democrat Party believes that before the government proceeds with this project, MPs should have the opportunity to study the details, consult with academics and relevant government agencies to gather factual information, helping the government make decisions that best serve the public interest and the taxpayers' money.