PUBLISHED: 24 Mar 2025 at 17: 09
Suriya Jungrangreangkit, the secretary of travel, confirms that China and other Middle Eastern nations are interested in the Land Bridge venture that connects the Gulf of Thailand to the Andaman Sea.
Mr. Suriya, who is also a deputy prime minister, stated on Monday that the state is still working toward the 1 trillion-baht premier project.
The minister recently held an international show to show potential investors how the venture is being promoted.
Middle Eastern and Chinese firms have expressed interest in the region. Dubai Port World, according to him, was just one of them, and it clearly indicated a willingness to bid.
A Southern Special Economic Development Zone ( SEC ) Bill has been created in accordance with Mr. Suriya’s Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning ( OTP).
Prior to a public hearing and established conference involving stakeholders scheduled for next month in Bangkok and Surat Thani, the costs was posted on the OTP site for 30 days as required by law.
The Ministry of Transportation will receive the SEC act for evaluation once all the feedback has been compiled.  ,
The state anticipates submitting the invoice to the case for consideration in May before passing it to parliament.
Mr. Suriya is assured that the SEC Bill may be approved and put into effect this year, opening the door to the buying process the following year.
According to him, conversations have already taken place between the state and buyers.
According to Mr. Suriya, this will help determine the Terms of Reference ( TOR ) needed to ensure that both foreign and Thai investors are drawn to the bidding process.
The state is committed to implementing the Land Bridge, which will connect two seaports, modernize maritime transportation, and boost Thailand’s profitability in the world economy.
It will follow a PPP ( Public-Private Partnership ) model, allowing the private sector to make investments in management and construction during a 50-year concession.
The whole project will be under the control of the exclusive market, including turning Chumphon Port into a contemporary deep-sea interface to bridge the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.
In addition, it involves upgrading Ranong Port to a cargo vessel dock and creating a business hub for the Andaman-centric South Asian ships through the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation ( Bimstec) model, as well as with the Middle East and Africa.
The SEC Bill is crucial, in the opinion of the OTP, for establishing the principal body responsible for growth planning, land use management, and professional zoning.