Thailand Scraps Mega 'Land Bridge' Project Amid Economic and Environmental Concerns

The Thai government has decided to halt the implementation of its large-scale 'Land Bridge' project, citing low economic viability and significant environmental risks. This initiative aimed to create a new maritime transport route by connecting the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea via land. A special committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Anutin Charnvirakul, concluded that the project's feasibility is low, ahead of the scheduled 90-day review period. According to the report, the project's Net Present Value (NPV) is projected to be a deficit of 10.287 billion baht, a stark contrast to the initial expectation of over 600 billion baht in surplus. The fact that nine out of ten major global shipping lines have already invested in similar projects was also identified as a factor diminishing the project's appeal. Environmentally, concerns have been raised about the planned route traversing Ranong province's vast mangrove forests, a biosphere reserve, and a globally recognized wetland. These areas hold potential for UNESCO World Heritage status, and impacts on the ecosystem and wildlife have been highlighted. Furthermore, the construction site's overlap with world-renowned coral reefs and diving spots, as well as potential effects on unexplored underwater archaeological sites, were also indicated. As an alternative, the government is considering enhancing the utilization of existing infrastructure at Ranong Port and promoting the 'Missing Link' railway project to connect the port with the main rail network. This aims to strengthen connectivity with Chinese goods from the north and ports on the Gulf of Thailand side. This decision may bring about a shift in the evaluation criteria for large-scale infrastructure projects in Thailand, highlighting the need for more cautious consideration of national strategy and environmental aspects in future projects. Source: INN News