Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said on Tuesday that there are plans to rename and review the Land Bridge project in the southern region to ensure clarity and acceptance within the relevant legal framework.
Mr Phiphat said the Land Bridge project is still moving forward, but details and operational guidelines will be reviewed pending the results of a study assigned by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to a working group before being formally announced as policy.
Mr Phiphat said that following the return of Mr Anutin from China, discussions will be held regarding the development of ports on both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, including the project's components -- whether rail, roads, or other infrastructure will be used to connect the two coasts.
A key issue is the method of connectivity, he said. If rail is the primary system, it must be designed to efficiently connect the ports on both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.
The idea of a direct road or rail connection will also be considered while awaiting the full results of the study, Mr Phiphat added.
He said a comprehensive assessment of suitability is necessary because some ports have been operating for a long time but have not met their cargo-handling targets.
Mr Phiphat mentioned how Ranong Port, which has been operating for over 20 years, has a low volume of cargo ships docking. This reflects how past development in the area may not have been as successful as expected, he noted.
