The Nation newspaper reported that Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has expressed his determination to carry out the viaduct project connecting the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, worth nearly 30 billion USD.
According to Mr. Thavisin, this bridge will help improve competitiveness, ensure energy security and put Thailand “on the map of a number of countries that want to use Thailand as a production base for export”.
The viaduct project includes the development of ports in Ranong province on the west coast and Chumphon province on the east coast, along with the construction of expressways and railways dedicated to freight transport.
A study conducted by the previous government identified sites for both ports, one at Laem Riew Point in Chumphon Province on the Gulf of Thailand and the other at Laem Ao Ang Point in Ranong Province on the Andaman Coast. The bridge could help ease the growing traffic in the Strait of Malacca, through which 60 percent of the world's seaborne petroleum passes.
The Strait of Malacca is a frequent site of congestion, with container ships having to wait long periods to pass through the waterway. With the volume of containers expected to pass through the strait expected to increase in the next 10-15 years, the congestion could worsen, making it difficult to transport oil. The Thai prime minister said the bridge could help boost the country’s ability to export domestically produced goods; and the project would attract investment from some of the world’s leading oil-producing countries.
According to Thai media, the project could create 280,000 local jobs and have an annual shipping capacity of 10 million containers upon completion. As competition between China and the United States intensifies, Southeast Asia has become a hot spot for investment due to its lower production costs and large population of more than 600 million. However, observers have expressed concerns that environmental assessments and damage to existing agricultural businesses could hinder construction. In addition, investment capital is also an issue as venture capitalists are cautious about the current economic situation.
MINH CHAU
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