Parliament Debates Land Bridge Project; Resolution Sent to Government

Matichon•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai Parliament votes to send Land Bridge project proposal to Cabinet for review after MP Abhisit Vejjajiva raises five critical concerns.

•Thai Parliament debated the proposed Land Bridge infrastructure project.
•Former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva outlined five key concerns regarding economic feasibility, environmental impact, regional benefits, cost-effectiveness, and security risks.
•The parliament ultimately voted to send the Land Bridge proposal to the Cabinet for further consideration.

•On May 29, at 10:35 AM, the House of Representatives convened for a session chaired by Sophon Sarum.
•The session discussed urgent motions to establish a special committee to study the Southern Economic Corridor Land Bridge project, connecting the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.
•Abhisit Vejjajiva emphasized the critical need for parliamentary oversight on the 1 trillion baht Land Bridge project.
•Abhisit Vejjajiva argued that the project's economic feasibility is questionable, citing increased costs from transshipment and potential environmental damage to World Heritage sites and Blue Carbon ecosystems.
•Abhisit Vejjajiva questioned the project's benefit to the wider southern region, suggesting it primarily serves foreign shipping and land speculators.
•Abhisit Vejjajiva proposed alternative infrastructure investments, such as motorways and electrified dual-track railways, costing less than the Land Bridge project.
•Abhisit Vejjajiva highlighted security concerns, warning that the project could become a strategic flashpoint given geopolitical tensions between major powers.
•The House of Representatives voted 266 to 174 to send the Land Bridge proposal to the Cabinet for consideration, with 3 abstentions and 1 invalid vote.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Abhisit Vejjajiva

"It is absolutely necessary for the parliament to have a mechanism to study and follow up on the Land Bridge project."

ความจำเป็นอย่างยิ่งที่สภาจะต้องมีกลไกเข้ามาทำการศึกษา และติดตามในโครงการแลนด์บริดจ์

Abhisit Vejjajiva

"The main issues that will cause problems are 5 points: 1. Economic feasibility."

ประเด็นหลักที่จะเกิดปัญหามี 5 ประเด็นคือ 1.ความคุ้มค่าทางเศรษฐกิจ

Abhisit Vejjajiva

"The myth that we will replace the Strait of Malacca, and also the myth that without this project..."

มายาคติที่ว่าเราจะไปทดแทนช่องแคบมะละกาแล้ว ยังมีมายาคติว่าถ้าไม่ ไม่มีโครงการนี้...

Abhisit Vejjajiva

"1 trillion baht if we are sincere about improving the lives of the southern people, much can be done with less money."

เงิน 1 ล้านล้านบาท ถ้าเรามีความจริงใจที่จะทำให้ชีวิตของพี่น้องประชาชนคน ใต้ดีขึ้นทำได้มากมาย โดยใช้เงินน้อยกว่านี้

Abhisit Vejjajiva

"The scary reason is the security problem. If this point is to be made a strategic point, look at the history of many straits."

ปัญหาที่น่ากลัวคือ ปัญหาความมั่นคง หากจะดันจุดนี้ให้เป็นจุดยุทธศาสตร์จริง ๆ ขอให้ไปดูประวัติศาสตร์ช่องแคบหลาย ๆ แห่ง

Abhisit Vejjajiva

"The refusal to establish a committee confirms suspicion and impropriety."

การปฏิเสธการตั้งกมธ.ฯ เป็นการตอกย้ำถึงความมีพิรุธ ความไม่ชอบมาพากล

Abhisit Vejjajiva(อภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ)ℹ️

Member of Parliament (List MP) and leader of the Democrat Party, who raised concerns about the Land Bridge project.

Sophon Sarum(นายโสภณ ซารัมย์)

The Speaker of the House of Representatives who chaired the session discussing the Land Bridge project.

Special Committee(คณะกรรมาธิการ (กมธ.) วิสามัญ)

A parliamentary body proposed to study the Land Bridge project.

House of Representatives(สภาผู้แทนราษฎร)ℹ️

The legislative body that debated the Land Bridge project proposal.

Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี (ครม.))ℹ️

The executive body of the Thai government, to which the Land Bridge proposal was sent for consideration.

Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP)(สำนักงานนโยบายและแผนการขนส่งและจราจร(สนข.))ℹ️

An office that reportedly presented a study supporting the Land Bridge project, which Abhisit disputed.

Democrat Party(พรรคประชาธิปัตย์)ℹ️

The political party led by Abhisit Vejjajiva, which holds a stance against the current Land Bridge proposal.

Strait of Malacca(ช่องแคบมะละกา)ℹ️

A major shipping route that the Land Bridge project aims to provide an alternative to.