Bangkok: The government is accelerating efforts to raise awareness of the "Land Bridge" project. The government spokesperson acknowledges the need for broader communication regarding the "NIDA Poland Bridge" project. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of fostering understanding and listening to all perspectives.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, commented on the NIDA Poll survey titled "What do people in the South think? The Land Bridge project is coming." The survey, conducted among 1,333 people who had been informed about the project (categorized as having heard and understood well, having heard and understood somewhat, or having heard but understood only slightly), found that the majority (67.22%) agreed with the project. This was broken down into 34.21% strongly agreeing and 33.01% somewhat agreeing. Approximately 32.78% disagreed. This reflects both the project's opportunities and the role of the government in consistently and transparently communicating information.
Ms. Rachada also addressed the topic of "Awareness and Understanding of the Land Bridge Project among people in Southern Thailand," finding that over half, or 54.53 percent, had heard of it but only had a limited understanding. She emphasized that this is a challenge the government must urgently address by communicating and raising awareness, particularly among those who have never heard of or understand the project, to ensure they have greater access to information.
'The Prime Minister has instructed all relevant agencies to expedite the process of building public understanding about the Land Bridge project, one of the country's key infrastructure projects. They are also to continuously solicit feedback from all sectors to ensure that decision-making and project implementation are comprehensive and yield maximum benefits for the country,' Ms. Rachada said.
Academics and various stakeholders have continuously expressed their opinions, both in support and with reservations, regarding the project. However, a consensus is that the land bridge project is a crucial strategy for enhancing Thailand's competitiveness in logistics, infrastructure development, job creation, and attracting foreign investment, which could be a significant long-term economic driver.
'The Prime Minister emphasized that every issue must be clearly explained. While the overall picture is positive, there are still concerns from the public. Therefore, the government must accelerate communication, build understanding, and continuously listen to feedback to ensure the project is implemented carefully and gains acceptance,' Ms. Rachada said.