Siripong: Land Bridge Delayed, Awaiting 3-Party Talks on South's Econ Dev.

MGR Online•Economy•13d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand's Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat has announced a delay in proposing the controversial Land Bridge project and related legislation to the Cabinet, opting instead to await the outcome of a 3-party committee's discussions on Southern economic development that are expected to conclude within one year.

•Deputy Minister of Transport Siripong Angkasakulkiat confirmed the Land Bridge project is not canceled but has been postponed.
•The delay is to allow a 3-party committee to discuss a framework for economic development in the Southern region.
•The committee, chaired by Siripong, includes government, administrative, and public representatives.
•A decision on the project is expected to be solidified within one year.

Overview

•On July 8, 2026, Deputy Minister of Transport Siripong Angkasakulkiat announced the postponement of the Land Bridge project and the Southern Economic Corridor Act.
•The Land Bridge project and the Southern Economic Corridor Act will not be proposed to the Cabinet at this time.
•The postponement is in response to a request from the SEC Watch group to establish a joint working group for Southern economic development.
•The Ministry of Transport has established a 3-party committee to discuss and formulate economic development guidelines for the South.
•This committee aims to define economic development guidelines for the South and assess the suitability of various projects in line with public needs.
•The 3-party committee aims to reach a clear consensus or framework for development within 1 year.
•Siripong Angkasakulkiat emphasized that the project is not canceled but delayed to gather public opinion and consensus.
•The Ministry of Transport will use existing studies from SNK, along with new information and proposals from the public, to determine the most appropriate approach for the project.

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Key Quotes

Siripong Angkasakulkiat

"“Today the Land Bridge project has not been canceled, but its submission to the Cabinet is being delayed because SEC Watch requested the establishment of a joint working group to find ways for joint economic development in the South."

“วันนี้ยังไม่ได้ล้มโครงการแลนด์บริดจ์ แต่เป็นการชะลอการเสนอเข้าคณะรัฐมนตรี เพราะกลุ่ม SEC Watch ขอให้ตั้งคณะทำงานร่วมเพื่อหาแนวทางพัฒนาเศรษฐกิจภาคใต้ร่วมกัน

Siripong Angkasakulkiat

"“The Ministry of Transport is ready to adapt it to suit the situation and context of the area, with the main goal of upgrading the economic potential of the South, along with building understanding and acceptance from the public."

“กระทรวงคมนาคมพร้อมนำมาปรับปรุงให้สอดคล้องกับสถานการณ์และบริบทของพื้นที่ โดยมีเป้าหมายสำคัญคือการยกระดับศักยภาพเศรษฐกิจภาคใต้ ควบคู่กับการสร้างความเข้าใจและการยอมรับจากประชาชน

Key Entities

Person

Siripong(สิริพงศ์)

Thai Deputy Minister of Transport, chairing a 3-party committee on Southern economic development.

Ekkanit Nitithanprapas(นายเอกนิติ นิติทัณฑ์ประภาศ)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, who chairs a committee conducting studies related to Southern economic development.

Organization

Cabinet(ครม.)

The Council of Ministers, the executive branch of the Thai government.

SEC Watch

A group that has requested the formation of a joint working group for Southern economic development.

Committee(คณะกก.)

A committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Ekkanit Nitithanprapas, conducting studies for the Land Bridge project and Southern economic development.

Ministry of Transport(กระทรวงคมนาคม)

The governmental body responsible for transportation infrastructure in Thailand, currently delaying the Land Bridge project proposal.

SNK(สนข.)

An organization that has conducted studies for the Land Bridge project, whose findings will be used in the current considerations.

Law

SEC Act(พ.ร.บ.SEC)

The Southern Economic Corridor Act, related to the development of southern Thailand.