The Prime Minister has ordered the 1 trillion baht land bridge project to attract investment and drive the long-term economy.
Thansettakij
Friday 12th September 2025 at 5:00 AM
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul is pushing ahead with the "Land Bridge" megaproject, worth nearly 1 trillion baht, to drive the economy and attract long-term investment. The project aims to develop Thailand into a regional transportation and trade hub, connecting the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Seas, providing an alternative transportation route to the Strait of Malacca. The government is preparing to open bids for a single private investor through a 50-year public-private partnership (PPP) contract within 2026, with the first phase expected to open in 2030.
The transition from the government of Ms. Paethongtarn Shinawatra to the government of Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, who will assume the position of interim prime minister, has already drafted a roadmap for a four-month interim government. A policy statement is expected to be presented to Parliament this month.
It is worth noting that the rapid and effective long-term economic drive will help build investor and public confidence. This is crucial for stimulating investment and consumption, and demonstrates a commitment to solving economic problems, which will help attract foreign investment.
Meanwhile, any projects deemed to be a burden on the national budget, Mr. Anutin has ordered them to be immediately shelved. A review by Thansettakij revealed that 17 projects, totaling 2.27 trillion baht, are expected to proceed during Anutin's government. These include large-scale projects from the Ministry of Transport and other related ministries.
Pushing the Land Bridge Connecting Two Ports
Starting with the Ministry of Transport's large-scale projects, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul recently told Thansettakij that the project he continues to push forward is the transportation infrastructure development project for the Southern Economic Corridor, linking transportation between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea (the Land Bridge project). Although this government has only been in office for four months, it can be studied and implemented continuously in the long term.
The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) has held three seminars summarizing the results of the Land Bridge project study.
Two seminars have already been held in Ranong Province on 21 August 2025, and in Chumphon Province on 22 August 2025.
According to the plan, after the conclusion of this study, the project will be completed within this year, pending the House of Representatives approval of the SEC Act.
The OTP is also preparing the bidding documents (TOR), which will take five to six months. The bidding for private investment and construction is expected to begin in 2026, with the first phase expected to be operational by 2030.
The project's investment value has been reduced from 1 trillion baht to 997 billion baht to accommodate the current economic situation, leading the consulting firm to adjust the construction timeframe.
Meanwhile, this study is in line with international consulting firms, which are world-renowned and recognized.
However, the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) will utilize a PPP Net Cost model with a 50-year concession contract. The bidding will award the concession to a single private company for the construction and management of the entire project under a single contract.
The Land Bridge project aims to develop Thailand into a regional and global transportation and trade hub, connecting the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea through the construction of a deep-sea port on both sides and connecting with infrastructure systems such as:
a double-track railway, an intercity motorway, and a pipeline system, providing an alternative transportation route to the Strait of Malacca.
Continuing the High-Speed Rail Phase 2
Thansettakij also identified several other projects under the Ministry of Transport that Mr. Anutin expects to continue, as they are important projects. This includes the 224.544 billion baht high-speed rail project for three airports (Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao) on August 15th.
The Attorney General has responded to the draft contract amendment for the project. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has already approved the contract.
However, the Attorney General's review of the draft contract revealed that over 95% of the contract details were approved by the Attorney General and no changes were made.
However, the Attorney General has expressed the opinion that the remaining 5% would benefit the government more if the contract were amended. Negotiations with the private sector are currently underway before proceeding with the next steps.
Meanwhile, the Thai-Chinese high-speed rail project, Phase 2, Nakhon Ratchasima-Nong Khai section, covering a distance of 357.12 kilometers (km), with an investment budget of 341,351.42 million baht, has already been approved by the Cabinet.
The SRT is currently preparing the draft bidding documents (TOR). The Phase 2 project has a civil construction cost of 237,454.86 million baht, with Thailand handling all aspects of the project, from design, construction, and supervision.
Regarding the double-track railway project, Phase 2, there are six remaining routes, with a total budget of 297 billion baht, to be continued.
Previously, projects to enhance travel and enhance the country's competitiveness are currently awaiting approval by the new Cabinet including:
the Pak Nam Pho-Den Chai section (81,143 million baht),
the Chumphon-Surat Thani section (30,422 million baht),
the Surat Thani-Hat Yai Junction-Songkhla section (66,270 million baht), and
the Thanon Jira Junction-Ubon Ratchathani section (44,095 million baht).
The Den Chai-Chiang Mai section (68,222 million baht),
the Hat Yai Junction-Padang Besar section (7,772 million baht),
The 20 baht flat rate has not been continued.
Regarding several previous government flagship projects under the Paethongtarn government, the project has not been successfully implemented as promised in Parliament and has not been continued in the new government of Mr. Anutin. These include the 10,000 baht digital currency, the entertainment complex, and the 20 baht flat rate electric train project from the previous government, which was scheduled for public use by November 15th.
Although there are currently over 260,000 registered users using the government app and all three bills have been approved by the House of Representatives,
Mr. Anutin believes that if implemented, the public will definitely benefit, as some projects have previously been operating at a loss. He emphasizes that fiscal discipline must be maintained to ensure the project's survival.
If the government were to find a budget to cover the annual cost of repurchasing the business from investors, this would be unacceptable.
Furthermore, the Baan Puea Thai project is estimated to be unsuccessful.
However, the Ministry of Transport has previously planned to hold a lottery draw for those who registered for the Baan Puea Thai project. at the Government Lottery Office by September 18th.
Currently, over 140,000 people have registered through verification by the Government Housing Bank (GHB) following the original procedures. The project's lottery drawing process has been entrusted to the Government Lottery Office by the Ministry of Transport, with a focus on transparency.
According to the plan, construction of the first phase is expected to begin and the public can move into the area by 2026. Another promising policy from the previous government,
but opposed by the Bhumjaithai Party, is the entertainment complex project, which aims to be developed into a mega-project with the goal of generating national revenue.
However, on 8th July, the Cabinet withdrew the draft from the House of Representatives, another flagship policy of the current government.
https://www.thansettakij.com/economy/megaproject/638621?
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