“Chaiyachana” declares the landbridge project a dead end, thanks the committee for concluding it is not cost-effective, and urges the government to cancel the project and redirect the budget to develop the southern rail system, while promoting “Thung Song” as a freight distribution center instead. Tags: [landbridge project, government policy, southern rail development, Thung Song, freight logistics]
On 25 July 2026, Chaiyachana Dechadecho, party-list MP and deputy leader of the Democrat Party responsible for the southern region, spoke after Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Aekniti Nitithanprapas announced the results of the committee’s study on the feasibility of the Landbridge project—linking transport infrastructure between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea. The study concluded the project has low feasibility and could impose a financial burden on the country with considerable risk.Tags: [Chaiyachana Dechadecho, Landbridge project, government study, transport infrastructure, financial risk]
Chaiyachana expressed gratitude to the committee for thoroughly reviewing the data and truthfully reflecting that the landbridge project is a business investment not worthwhile for the country’s investment. He urged the government and Cabinet to seriously consider the committee’s recommendations and findings when discussing the matter in Cabinet meetings.Tags: [Chaiyachana Dechadecho, investment evaluation, government recommendation, Cabinet decision, landbridge project]
“Since the study clearly shows the project carries high risk and is economically unviable, the government should listen to experts and public opinion and refrain from advancing a project that could burden the country’s budget in the future.”Tags: [economic risk, government advice, public opinion, fiscal responsibility]
Chaiyachana proposed that the budget allocated for the landbridge project should instead be invested in developing rail infrastructure to achieve real benefits, by accelerating rail connections to key southern ports such as Padang Besar, Kantang, and Ranong. He also suggested expanding rail connections to ports nationwide to enhance logistics capacity, reduce transportation costs, and boost the country’s competitiveness.Tags: [rail infrastructure, southern ports, logistics, transportation costs, economic competitiveness]
Additionally, he proposed promoting Thung Song district in Nakhon Si Thammarat province as the southern region’s central freight distribution hub, or an Inland Container Depot (ICD), similar to the Lat Krabang ICD, to efficiently connect cargo transport by rail, road, and port.Tags: [Thung Song, Inland Container Depot, freight distribution, logistics hub, transport connectivity]
“Future large-scale government investments must be based on careful data analysis, economic viability, and importantly, must heed the voice of the people. Today, I thank the committee for listening to the public, and I urge the government to do the same, because every baht is taxpayers’ money that must be used to the greatest benefit.”Tags: [government investment, economic viability, public participation, taxpayer money, accountability]