Bangkok: The ambitious 1 trillion baht land bridge project aimed at connecting the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea has drawn significant criticism from various quarters. Professor Teerachai Poovanatnaruban, a former Minister of Finance, has been vocal in expressing his concerns that the project, in its current form, may "not work" and could potentially result in more harm than good.
According to Thai News Agency, Professor Teerachai outlined five critical issues that make the land bridge project worrisome. Firstly, he highlighted its economic impracticality, noting that the high investment would not yield substantial savings in shipping time compared to the existing route via the Strait of Malacca. Secondly, he pointed out the practical difficulties involved, such as the additional costs and delays from needing to load and unload containers twice during transit.
The environmental impact is another significant concern, as the construction of deep-sea ports could destroy natural resources and adversely affect the tourism industry, which is vital for the southern region's economy. Professor Teerachai also raised alarms about potential favoritism during the land expropriation process, which might lead to private investors or foreign entities exploiting national resources.
Public trust is a critical issue, with local communities expressing skepticism due to unclear communication from government representatives about the benefits they might receive from the project. This lack of trust is compounded by the preference of shipping companies to continue using the more cost-effective and flexible Strait of Malacca route.
In response to these concerns, Professor Teerachai proposed an alternative model called the "Logistics Hub," which focuses on connecting with Yunnan Province in China. This approach suggests developing a deep-sea port in Ranong, linked with a high-speed rail system extending to Kunming via Nong Khai and Laos. The proposal also includes establishing Ranong as an industrial base and constructing a large-scale oil storage facility to enhance energy security.
Professor Teerachai emphasized the importance of government-to-government cooperation to realize this project, proposing a joint venture between Thailand and China. This partnership would ensure that Thailand retains economic sovereignty through a "golden share" mechanism, preventing the loss of control over the venture.
In conclusion, while large-scale projects are essential for enhancing Thailand's competitiveness and planning for future generations, they must be executed with transparency and genuine benefits for local communities, avoiding opportunities for personal gain amidst public concerns.