The Industry Ministry of Thailand is at present assessing the environmental influence of a proposed land bridge megaproject in the southern part of the nation, a venture that promises to significantly bolster the Thai economy in the future. Off the record is essential to determining the project’s viability and addressing any potential unfavorable effects on the environment.
The proposed land bridge, which aims to establish a logistics community between Ranong on the Andaman Sea and Chumphon on the Gulf of Thailand, has been a topic of debate for four decades. It is envisioned as an alternative maritime path to the existing Indian Ocean-Pacific Ocean pathway via the Strait of Malacca, which sees roughly 85,000 ships annually—a figure projected to rise to 128,000 inside the next ten years, based on the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT).
However, this formidable plan has raised issues among local communities over its potential impression on their way of life and the environment. Despite these issues, the project might potentially present higher wages for residents.
Industry Minister Pimphattra Wichaikul, who recently met with local business officials and entrepreneurs in Chumphon, mentioned the federal government will promote investment and skilled labour development, in addition to support small and medium-sized enterprises within the area.
“The land bridge will play a key function in driving the Thai economic system in the long run.”
The ministry goals to attract investments and modify laws to aid the institution of new ventures to develop the land bridge challenge.
Pimphattra additional highlighted that the project is anticipated to join with the Southern Economic Corridor, encompassing Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces. This hall is expected to hyperlink with the Eastern Economic Corridor, which is presently being transformed into a high-tech industrial hub, internet hosting 12 targeted S-curve industries.
The funding worth of the land bridge challenge, together with the construction of recent deep-sea ports and a freeway and railway system, was estimated at 1 trillion baht in the course of the Prayut Chan-o-cha authorities.
Veeris Ammarapala, governor of the IEAT, mentioned the IEAT is prepared to help the land bridge venture.
He added that the federal government ought to prioritise organising international roadshows to introduce the project to potential traders, reported Bangkok Post.
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