Prime Minister Promotes Land Bridge Project in Japan
During a promotional event in Tokyo, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit and Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin courted Japanese investors, outlining a comprehensive concession plan for shipping, logistics, and development operations.
Suriya indicated a new law and a cost-benefit analysis would support area development, emphasizing Thailand’s potential as a logistics center due to its strategic location.
The Land Bridge, connecting Chumphon to Ranong, aims to expedite shipment by circumventing the crowded Malacca Strait, promising significant savings in time and logistics costs for regional trade.
The project is expected to dramatically reduce transport times and save on logistics costs for various routes, including significant savings for trade among Southeast Asian countries and with Central Asia and the Middle East.
Mr. Srettha highlighted the project’s capacity to generate 280,000 jobs and potentially increase Thailand's GDP growth by 5.5% annually.
He invited Japanese participation in this economically and strategically vital undertaking, which was greenlighted by the Srettha administration in October and comprises deep-water ports, roadways, railways, and pipelines.
Collaboration opportunities with Japan regarding the M-Map and aviation, especially with the upcoming third runway at Suvarnabhumi airport, were discussed. The prime minister reported a positive reception from Japanese business leaders during his visit, expressing his satisfaction on social media.