Abhisit, Korn blast Land Bridge project; Korn signals opposition to committee vote.

Matichon•Politics•2d ago

Reader Briefing

Democrat Party leaders Abhisit Vejjajiva and Korn Chatikavanij have strongly criticized the proposed Land Bridge project, deeming it an unprofitable 'dream' and signaling their intention to oppose a parliamentary committee formation aimed at its review.

•Democrat Party leaders, Abhisit Vejjajiva and Korn Chatikavanij, have voiced strong opposition to the government's Land Bridge project on May 28, 2026.
•They argue the project is financially unviable, environmentally damaging, and focuses on benefits for land sellers rather than genuine infrastructure development for the South.
•Korn Chatikavanij indicated that the government is signaling an intent to block the formation of a special parliamentary committee to scrutinize the project, calling this 'narrow-minded'.

Overview

•On May 28, 2026, at 3:30 PM, parliamentary sessions were held.
•Abhisit Vejjajiva stated the Democrat Party does not oppose the Land Bridge project purely on cost, but rather proposes alternative infrastructure for the South.
•Korn Chatikavanij described the Land Bridge project as 'selling dreams' and asserted that it will not lead to savings in time or cost compared to the Malacca Strait.
•Korn Chatikavanij opposes further moves on the project due to significant potential impacts on the environment, ecosystems, security, and local livelihoods.
•Korn Chatikavanij revealed receiving signals from the government that the formation of a special parliamentary committee to review the project will be opposed.
•Karn Leiaopirot highlighted that environmental impact assessments are lacking, with proposed mitigation costs of 16,000 million THB, and stressed the loss of opportunity for a UNESCO-recognized area.
•Korn Chatikavanij requested the government reconsider forming a special committee to review the Land Bridge project, stating it would increase legitimacy.
•A special committee is proposed to allow elected Members of Parliament to review factual data and provide recommendations to the government regarding the Land Bridge project.

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Key Quotes

Abhisit Vejjajiva

"The Democrat Party sees that with the same or even less investment, people in the South can have a motorway from Bangkok to the border and an electric double-track railway linked to Malaysia."

พรรคประชาธิปัตย์มองว่าด้วยเงินลงทุนจำนวนเดียวกันหรือน้อยกว่าด้วยซ้ำพี่น้องชาวใต้สามารถมีมอเตอร์เวย์ที่วิ่งตั้งแต่กรุงเทพฯไปถึงชายแดน มีรถไฟรางคู่ที่เป็นระบบไฟฟ้า เชื่อมโยงกับมาเลเซียได้.

Korn Chatikavanij

"The Land Bridge project is about selling dreams; it's impossible, there will be no savings in time or cost for shipping companies to use the Land Bridge instead of the Strait of Malacca."

เรื่องของแลนด์บริดจ์เป็นเรื่องการขายฝัน มันเป็นไปไม่ได้ จะไม่มีการประหยัดในแง่ของเวลา หรือต้นทุน หรือบริษัทเดินเรือที่จะมาใช้แลนด์บริดจ์แทนที่จะวิ่งผ่านช่องแคบมะละกา.

Korn Chatikavanij

"Frankly speaking, it's narrow-minded."

ถ้าพูดตามตรงมองว่าใจแคบ.

Karn Leiaopirot

"We need to establish a special committee to examine all aspects; we cannot just look at current monetary figures based on economics."

เราจำเป็นต้องมีการตั้งคณะกรรมธิการวิสามัญเพื่อจะดูให้รอบด้าน จะมองแค่เม็ดเงินในปัจจุบันตามหลักเศรษฐศาสตร์ไม่ได้แล้ว.

Key Entities

Person

Abhisit Vejjajiva(นายอภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ)ℹ️

List-MP and leader of the Democrat Party, who criticized the Land Bridge project as unprofitable and a 'dream'.

Korn Chatikavanij(นายกรณ์ จาติกวนิช)ℹ️

List-MP and deputy leader of the Democrat Party, who strongly criticized the Land Bridge project's economic viability and signaled opposition to committee formation.

Karn Leiaopirot(นางการดี เลียวไพโรจน์)

List-MP and deputy leader of the Democrat Party, who raised concerns about the lack of environmental impact studies for the Land Bridge project.

Organization

Democrat Party(พรรคประชาธิปัตย์)ℹ️

Political party whose leaders criticized the Land Bridge project, advocating for alternative infrastructure in the South.

Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC)(สภาพัฒน์)ℹ️

An organization whose evaluation of the Land Bridge project's cost-effectiveness was discussed and contrasted with other assessments.

Office of Transport and Policy Planning (ianSpace)(สนข.)ℹ️

An organization whose report on the Land Bridge project included provisions for environmental mitigation, highlighting significant costs.

UNESCO(องค์การยูเนสโก)ℹ️

An international organization that designates areas of importance for tourism and biodiversity, relevant to discussions about the environmental value of the South of Thailand.

Place

Parliament(รัฐสภา)ℹ️

The legislative body where discussions and debates regarding the Land Bridge project and proposed special committees took place.

Bangkok(กรุงเทพฯ)ℹ️

The capital of Thailand, mentioned in relation to proposed infrastructure projects connecting to the South.

Malaysia(มาเลเซีย)ℹ️

A neighboring country to Thailand, mentioned in the context of connecting transportation infrastructure, such as a railway line.

Strait of Malacca(ช่องแคบมะละกา)ℹ️

A critical maritime route discussed as an alternative that the proposed Land Bridge project aims to circumvent, despite claims of cost and time savings.