Pipat sat down to discuss with anti-land bridge protesters, agreeing to halt the legislative push until the project study committee reaches a conclusion. The protesters expressed satisfaction with the discussion results and prepared to return home tomorrow.
At 14:20 on 30 June 2026 at the government's complaint center, Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, along with Mr. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr. Supachai Jaisamut, party-list MP of Bhumjaithai Party, and southern province MPs from Bhumjaithai Party including Mr. Kitti Kittithornkul, Mr. Kittichai Engchung, MP of Krabi, Mr. Attapon Traisri, MP of Phang Nga, Mr. Pichai Chomphupol, MP of Surat Thani, Mrs. Nantawan Wichian, MP of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Mr. Amnat Wilawan, MP of Prachinburi, Mrs. Zakariya Sa-i, MP of Narathiwat, Mr. Wichai Sudswat, Mr. Kittisak Promrat, MP of Chumphon, Mr. Natthachon Srikokuea, MP of Songkhla, and Mr. Kongkrit Chatmalirot, MP of Ranong, held talks with representatives of the Southern Special Economic Corridor Study Network (SEC Watch) led by Mr. Prasitchai Noonual, the network secretary, along with representatives from the Rak Ranong Network, Strong Prachin Network, and Friends of the East Network. They requested the cessation of pushing the Southern Special Economic Corridor (SEC) bill, stopping the land bridge project, reconsidering the expansion of the Eastern Special Economic Corridor to Prachinburi and other provinces, and expediting compensation payments for those affected by Phase 3 land reclamation at Map Ta Phut, Rayong.
Canceling the land bridge push
At 16:50, Mr. Pipat announced the discussion results, stating the government would cancel the proposal of the SEC bill and would not bring it before the Cabinet. They plan to sign a memorandum of understanding with SEC Watch representatives to officially confirm this approach. The land bridge project is currently under study by the study committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mr. Anek Niti Thantipraphas, with a 90-day study period. The government confirmed its openness to public opinions. Additionally, the meeting approved establishing a joint committee to develop the southern plan, assigning the Ministry of Transport to work with SEC Watch, with Mr. Siripong and the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) as main representatives, to study suitable overall development. It was affirmed that the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) development model would not be applied to the south. Regarding EEC-related issues, Mr. Pipat will present proposals to the Prime Minister to review the expansion to Prachinburi and address compensation and relief issues for those affected by land reclamation in Rayong, assigning the Prime Minister’s Office to urgently follow up on problem resolution.
Meanwhile, Mr. Prasitchai said the meeting result was a significant step with the government accepting several proposals, particularly confirming that the SEC bill would not be submitted to the Cabinet and opening participation for civil society in shaping southern development direction going forward. The group plans to return home tomorrow (1 July) at 10:00, with the Ministry of Transport arranging buses for their return journey to their hometowns.
