Fishermen urge gov't to heed 'Landbridge' concerns, fearing livelihood loss.

Matichon•Society•24d ago

Reader Briefing

Fishermen express concerns over the 'Landbridge' project, citing a lack of consultation and potential loss of fishing grounds.

•Thai fishermen are voicing strong concerns about the proposed 'Landbridge' project.
•They claim their opinions have been largely ignored during the planning stages.
•Fishermen fear the project will result in the loss of their traditional fishing areas.
•Concerns are also raised about inadequate compensation and long-term sustainability for affected communities.

Overview

•Tri Rux, President of the Thai Fisheries Association, stated that consultations with fishermen regarding the Landbridge project have been 'very little'.
•Tri Rux warned that the Landbridge project will cause fishermen to lose their fishing grounds, emphasizing the need for government answers on future livelihoods.
•Tri Rux questioned whether fishermen will be left to "just watch the capitalists get rich" without benefiting from the project.
•Pisan Santiwichaya, President of the Pak Nam Chumphon Association, indicated a strong disagreement with the project due to a lack of clear answers on logistics and compensation.
•Pisan Santiwichaya raised concerns about the unclear responsible party for potential damages to vessels entering international channels during the project's operation.
•Pisan Santiwichaya stated that while fishermen might accept the project if it genuinely benefits national development, doubts remain about the actual realization of this development.
•There is information about 14 southern provinces' NGOs potentially uniting to oppose the Landbridge project, though the timing is unconfirmed.
•The Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Transport was scheduled to visit the Landbridge project area on May 8, 2026, but this visit was cancelled to allow for new studies.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Tri Rux

"Very little."

มีน้อยมาก

Tri Rux

"The project will cause fishermen to lose their fishing grounds."

โครงการดังกล่าวจะทำให้ชาวประมงต้องสูญเสียพื้นที่ทำกิน

Tri Rux

"In the long run, will fishermen just watch the capitalists get rich while they get nothing?"

ระยะยาวจะให้ชาวประมงนั่งดูแต่ความร่ำรวยของนายทุนเท่านั้น โดยที่ชาวประมงไม่ได้อะไรเลยเช่นนั้นหรือ?

Pisan Santiwichaya

"Do not agree."

ไม่เห็นด้วย

Pisan Santiwichaya

"If it's truly for the country's development, fishermen might accept it, but the doubt is whether development will truly occur."

ถ้าเป็นความเจริญของประเทศจริงๆ ชาวประมงอาจยอมรับได้ แต่ที่สงสัยก็คือจะเกิดความเจริญจริงหรือเปล่าเท่านั้น

Key Entities

Organization

Fishermen(ชาวประมง)

A group directly impacted by the proposed Landbridge project, voicing concerns about livelihood and fishing grounds.

Thai Fisheries Association(สมาคมการประมงแห่งประเทศไทย)

Represents fishermen in Thailand and has raised concerns about the lack of consultation on the Landbridge project.

Pak Nam Chumphon Association(สมาคมปากน้ำชุมพร)

A fishing association in Chumphon that has expressed disagreement with the Landbridge project due to lack of consultation and clear answers.

Person

Tri Rux Musunsat(นายไตรฤกษ์ มือสันทัด)

President of the Thai Fisheries Association and President of the Pak Tako Fishing Association, who has voiced concerns about the Landbridge project's impact on fishermen.

Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn(นายพิพัฒน์ รัชกิจประการ)

Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, whose scheduled visit to the Landbridge project area on May 8, 2026, was cancelled.

Ekniti Nitithanprapas(นายเอกนิติ นิติทัณฑ์ประภาส)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, who is overseeing new studies related to the Landbridge project.

Pisan Santiwichaya(นายพิศาล ศันติวิชยะ)

President of the Pak Nam Chumphon Association, who has stated his disagreement with the Landbridge project and raised several critical questions.

Place

Chumphon(ชุมพร)ℹ️

A province in Thailand where the Landbridge project is proposed to connect to Ranong, and where fishermen have expressed concerns.

Ranong(ระนอง)ℹ️

A province in Thailand where the Landbridge project is proposed to connect to Chumphon.

Timeline

May 8, 2026(8 พฤษภาคม 2026)

The date of a cancelled visit by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport to the Landbridge project area.