Thailand Revises Land Bridge Plan, Accelerates Regional Transport Links

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has ordered officials concerned to revise the land bridge project of the government while speeding up other transport projects linking Thailand, China, Laos, Malaysia and Singapore, according to the government spokesman. Government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said on Wednesday that Mr Anutin instructed relevant government organisations to revise the land bridge project and speed up road and rail projects ready for implementation to remedy “missing links” and complete transport networks. “This will speed up cargo transport, cut logistic costs, increase competitiveness and attract investment without having to wait for a mega project,” the spokeswoman said. She was referring to the 1-trillion-baht east-west land bridge megaproject planned to link the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea across the southern provinces of Chumphon and Ranong. Elaborating on the new directive from Prime Minister Anutin, who recently visited China, Ms Rachada said the aim is to fill in “missing links” along the “north-south economic corridor” connecting China to Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. According to the government spokesperson, Mr Anutin told his Chinese counterpart Li Qiang while in China that the Thai government is committed to extending railways from Chiang Khong district of Chiang Rai to Nateuy station in Laos, which connects with Mohan of China. Nateuy is a key station of the Chinese-Lao high-speed railway. At the same time, the government will rapidly improve the port of Ranong and link it and Chumphon with rail lines and roads to introduce an alternative for cargo transport between the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Thailand. “The government will comprehensively consider feasibility, investment and economic returns before working out action plans… The government emphasises investment that is practical, produces quick results and genuinely benefits people and businesses,” Ms Rachada said.