Land bridge project public hearings held in Chumphon and Ranong

People in the southern provinces of Ranong and Chumphon are divided over the controversial land bridge project, with the business sector and most local community leaders in favour, while civic groups, coastal fishermen, durian and oil palm growers have expressed concerns over its potential environmental impacts.

The House Committee studying the project held public hearings in the two provinces yesterday and today, to gauge the views of all stakeholders.

In Chumphon province, people in Pa Toh district, where the project is to be sited, particularly coastal fishermen and those who have durian orchards and oil palm plantations, voiced concerns that construction activities, such as land reclamation to build a deep-sea port and oil piping, will impact marine species and plants, which will, in turn, affect their earnings.

Potential oil spills from the loading and offloading of crude at…