Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced on Monday (July 1) that the first phase of the ambitious 1-trillion-baht Southern Land Bridge project will commence operations by the end of 2030. The project, which will connect the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea, is under adjustment following feedback from potential investors and local communities. This revision phase is expected to conclude by the third quarter of this year.
Designs for the ports involved in the project are scheduled to be completed by the end of the year, with the railway tracks and inter-city motorway designs set to finish in 2024. The government plans to select a contractor by the third quarter of 2025 and sign the contract early in 2026.
Construction will unfold in three phases, beginning in 2026 and opening in 2030. The second phase is slated for 2031 to 2034, and the third from 2035 to 2036. The project includes the development of a port in Ranong province facing the Andaman Sea and another in Chumphon facing the Gulf of Thailand, with additional investments into an inter-city motorway and railway infrastructure totaling 358.52 billion baht.
Suriya highlighted the project’s promising financial outlook, noting an internal rate of return of 8.62% and an expected break-even point 24 years into operations. He also emphasized the significant economic impact of the Land Bridge, projecting it will generate 280,000 jobs in Chumphon and Ranong provinces and substantially boost the nation’s GDP. (NNT)
