Land Bridge not scrapped, says PM Anutin

The project can be revived when the timing is right and geopolitical conditions are favourable, says PM Anutin

PM Anutin Charnvirakul reversed course on the project yesterday after his deputy prime minister publicly announced on Friday that the project would be cancelled.

PM Anutin said the Land Bridge project has not been scrapped. However, based on the current circumstances, the so-called “Missing Link” project would instead be implemented more quickly. The Land Bridge project could be revived when the timing is right and geopolitical conditions are favourable, the prime minister said.

PM Anutin said he has not yet discussed the matter with Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas regarding the panel chaired by Mr. Ekniti to review the Land Bridge project, as appointed by the government. He added that the designated ports on both sides of the route still require further study, including whether the existing ports, such as Ranong Port, should be upgraded or whether new ports need to be constructed.

PM Anutin highlighted the area’s potential, saying many more projects could be developed there, including the Missing Link. He said the Missing Link project could facilitate railway connectivity between the two oceans, helping connect the western region to the rest of the country while supporting transport and trade.

Ekniti panel’s decision

Appointed in May and given three months to complete the study, the panel chaired by Mr. Ekniti decided on Friday to release its findings ahead of the August deadline. Led by Mr. Ekniti, the panel held a press conference to announce that the Land Bridge project is not economically feasible, carries significant environmental risks, and remains divisive within society.

Mr. Ekniti said that, following the Prime Minister’s directive, the study was completed ahead of the 90-day deadline. Three sub-panels examined three key aspects: economic and investment feasibility, environmental feasibility, and public consultation and community participation.

The panel concluded that the Land Bridge project has low economic feasibility and could impose a significant burden on the national budget while carrying considerable risks. Its review of the project’s economic and investment feasibility found that the project carries risks because developments in the Middle East have reduced global trade, meaning the previously projected positive return on investment could become negative, posing a significant economic risk.

The panel also identified risks related to competitiveness and management. Initially, it was expected that shipping lines would switch to using the project, but this is now considered less likely because many operators have already entered partnerships elsewhere.

Management risks were also identified, particularly regarding transport efficiency. The need for rapid cargo movement presents a significant challenge, as the project has relatively low transport efficiency. As a result, the panel concluded that the project has low commercial viability and carries high risks.

Regarding environmental concerns, Mr. Ekniti said the project poses relatively high environmental risks and requires comprehensive strategic environmental assessments. The panel also found that environmental issues — including marine ecosystems, coastal community livelihoods, food security, and protected forests — have not yet been considered in an integrated and comprehensive manner.

On public consultation, the panel found that differing views remain. While some groups, including the private sector and manufacturing industries, support the project, the majority remain concerned or undecided. Their key concerns include environmental impacts and transparency. Opponents include marine conservation groups. The panel therefore recommended that, should the project proceed in the future, measures be taken to build public trust and address misinformation.

Mr Ekniti said the panel ultimately concluded that the project has low economic feasibility, carries a high risk of negative impacts, and continues to face differing views within society.

However, he noted that the private sector still requires access to the Andaman Sea through Ranong Port. Therefore, consideration should be given to improving Ranong Port to maximise its potential, including developing a railway connection and the so-called “Missing Link” rail system, which could provide opportunities to connect northern Thailand with China while also linking to ports on the eastern coast.

The panel also recommended that future large-scale infrastructure investments should begin with a clear national strategy before individual agencies undertake project studies. It said the review highlighted the importance of conducting strategic environmental assessments and incorporating lessons learned from public consultations.

When asked by reporters whether the Land Bridge project had been scrapped, Mr Ekniti replied, “You could say that.”

Mr. Ekniti said the panel had held its final meeting and would submit its summary report to the Prime Minister. If approved, the report would then be forwarded to the Cabinet in accordance with the order establishing the panel.