Parliament Rejects Land Bridge Committee, Forwarding Opinions to Govt; Monopoly Fears Raised

Matichon•Politics•1d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai Parliament rejected a proposal to establish a special committee to study the Land Bridge project, opting instead to forward member opinions to the Cabinet for consideration, amid concerns over potential monopolistic practices.

•The Thai Parliament rejected the establishment of a special committee to study the controversial Land Bridge project.
•Parliament's decision was to forward the opinions of members to the Cabinet for further consideration.
•Concerns were raised by a member about the project potentially favoring monopolistic capital and the composition of the study committee.
•The vote passed with 266 in favor of forwarding opinions to the Cabinet, 174 against, and 3 abstentions.

Overview

•On May 29 at 10:35 AM, the Parliament convened to consider urgent proposals for establishing a special committee for the Southern Economic Corridor Land Bridge project.
•Parliament voted to reject the establishment of a special committee to study the Land Bridge project.
•The Parliament's decision is to forward the opinions and proposals regarding the Land Bridge project to the Cabinet for consideration.
•Apisit Vejjajiva emphasized the necessity for parliamentary oversight and study of the Land Bridge project, noting its significant historical value.
•The Land Bridge project aims to connect the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, potentially replacing the Strait of Malacca for shipping routes.
•Wutthipong Prachakorn warned that the project's study committee is composed of officials who can be influenced, raising concerns about a potential monopoly.
•The Land Bridge project is estimated to be one of the most valuable in history, with a cost of 1 trillion baht.
•Concerns about the project's potential to benefit monopolistic capital and the composition of the government-appointed study committee led to parliamentary debate and rejection of the special committee.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Read on Matichon (Thai Version)View in Google Translate

Source: Matichon (Original)

Key Quotes

Apisit Vejjajiva

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

ความจำเป็นอย่างยิ่งที่สภาจะต้องมีกลไกเข้ามาทำการศึกษาและติดตามในโครงการแลนด์บริดจ์

Wutthipong Prachakorn

"From the previous discussions, it is seen that the Land Bridge project has been studied before, but from different sides of opinion."

จากที่อภิปรายที่ผ่านมาเห็นว่า มีการศึกษาโครงการแลนด์บริดจ์มาก่อนแล้วแต่เป็นการศึกษาจากคนละขั้วความเห็น

Wutthipong Prachakorn

"I agree with development, but I want to change the perspective on the Land Bridge project from a ship transit to a logistics industry."

ตนเห็นด้วยกับการพัฒนา แต่อยากให้เปลี่ยนมุมมองต่อโครงการแลนด์บริดจ์ จากทางผ่านของเรือ เป็นอุตสาหกรรมโลจิสติกส์

Wutthipong Prachakorn

"I am concerned that the committee appointed by the Prime Minister to study this project is full of officials and individuals who can give orders."

ตนเองเป็นห่วง คณะกรรมการที่นายกฯ แต่งตั้งให้ศึกษาโครงการนี้ เต็มไปด้วยข้าราชการและบุคคลที่สามารถสั่งการได้

Wutthipong Prachakorn

"I believe the public is now aware and will not allow those in power to use influence and benefits in the study of this project."

ตนเชื่อว่าประชาชนตื่นรู้แล้ว และคงไม่ให้ผู้มีอำนาจเอาอิทธิพลและผลประโยชน์มาใช้ในการศึกษาโครงการนี้

Key Entities

Organization

Committee(กมธ.)

Refers to the proposed special committee for studying the Land Bridge project.

Parliament(รัฐสภา)ℹ️

The legislative body of Thailand where the vote on the Land Bridge project committee took place.

House of Representatives(สภาผู้แทนราษฎร)ℹ️

The lower house of the Parliament of Thailand, which debated and voted on the Land Bridge project committee.

Democrat Party(พรรคประชาธิปัตย์)ℹ️

A political party in Thailand, whose leader Abhisit Vejjajiva spoke on the Land Bridge project.

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

A government agency whose studies on the Land Bridge project have differing conclusions compared to academic institutions.

Phak Prachachat Party(พรรคประชาชาติ)ℹ️

A political party in Thailand, whose leader Pol. Col. Thawee Sodsong voiced concerns about the Land Bridge project.

Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี (ครม.))ℹ️

A governmental body that will now consider the opinions and proposals from Parliament regarding the Land Bridge project.

UNESCO(องค์การยูเนสโก)ℹ️

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which raised concerns about a construction project infringing on a World Heritage site.

Person

Thawee(ทวี)

A Member of Parliament and leader of the Phak Prachachat party, who spoke out against the Land Bridge project's potential for monopoly.

Mr. Sopon Saram(นายโสภณ ซารัมย์)

The President of the Parliament who presided over the session discussing the Land Bridge project.

Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva(นายอภิสิทธิ์ เวชชาชีวะ)ℹ️

A Member of Parliament and leader of the Democrat Party, who spoke in favor of establishing a committee to study the Land Bridge project.

Pol. Col. Thawee Sodsong(พ.ต.อ.ทวี สอดส่อง)

A Member of Parliament and leader of the Phak Prachachat party, who argued against the current approach to the Land Bridge project, warning of monopolies.