House passes land bridge project feasibility report despite opposition

Southern and Move Forward MPs unanimously voiced their opposition to the government’s ambitious land bridge mega project, questioning the credibility of its feasibility study. They remain unconvinced that the project is worth the staggering one trillion baht investment or its impacts on the environment and lucrative tourism industry in the region.

During a debate in the House today on the feasibility study, submitted by the House scrutiny committee led by Pheu Thai party-list MP Wisut Chainaroon, former Move Forward party leader Pita Limjaroenrat quoted the claim in the report that the land bridge will shorten the time and distance for freighters which currently pass through the Strait of Malacca.

He said there are three questions which need to be answered by the government. First, whether there are other more competitive options to the land bridge project. Second, how the…