Land Bridge project hits new snag

Fresh EHIA studies ordered for two ports

PUBLISHED : 6 Jun 2026 at 05:28

Thailand's flagship Land Bridge project has suffered a significant setback after an expert review committee ordered fresh Environmental and Health Impact Assessment (EHIA) studies for planned deep-sea ports in Ranong and Chumphon.

The ports are key components of the proposed transport corridor linking the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.

The decision is expected to delay progress on the project, which has faced growing opposition from environmental groups, marine scientists and local communities concerned about its potential impact on coastal ecosystems, fisheries and traditional livelihoods.

Bannaruk Sermthong, secretary-general of the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) and also the secretary of the Expert Review Committee on Environmental Impact Assessment, said on Friday that the committee had instructed the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) to conduct entirely new EHIA studies for both port projects.

According to Mr Bannaruk, the committee reviewed the Chumphon port assessment submitted on Jan 6 and carried out a site inspection from Feb 24-26. A meeting on March 21 concluded that a new study covering the entire project was required. A similar decision was reached for the Ranong port after a site visit on April 8-10 and a committee meeting on April 28.

The committee identified 21 issues requiring revision in Chumphon and 25 issues in Ranong, effectively requiring the studies to be redone before they can proceed through the approval process.

"The study would be able to resubmit to the committee's consideration through the ordinary procedure," he said.

The original assessments were criticised over the accuracy of environmental data, particularly findings on benthic organisms in project areas. The reports estimated marine life density at 47.6 organisms per square metre (m²), while independent marine researchers reported more than 1,800 organisms per m² in some surveyed areas, raising questions about the scope and reliability of the studies.

The Land Bridge scheme, valued at around 1 trillion baht, aims to create a transport corridor connecting Ranong on the Andaman coast with Chumphon on the Gulf of Thailand, allowing cargo to bypass the Strait of Malacca.

Prominent environmental campaigner Sasin Chalermlarp argued the project should not proceed at all. He described the EHIA process as a lesson in why the country should avoid a destructive development project.