CNA Correspondent Podcast: Megaproject in Thailand - A bridge too far?
The plan for a land bridge between the Indian and Pacific Oceans will cut across rich ecosystems and farmland in Thailand.
A 90km route that cuts across the narrowest part of Thailand in the south could turn the country into a maritime transit hub. At least that’s the hope of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. But locals are worried about the environmental and security risks the megaproject could pose.
CNA’s Teresa Tang and Jack Board discuss what’s at stake.
These communities are right next to where all of this infrastructure is planning to be built ... the Prime Minister was visiting this village ... (and the woman I spoke to) was pleading with him in a powerful, visceral way, begging him to not build.
Tourism has taken off in other hotspots like Phuket and Krabi. But renewal (isn't done) in the provinces with the lowest incomes and highest rates of poverty. So the business community is hungry to see investment flowing.
It's not quite clear (how invested they are but), it does feel inevitable that China will be a significant investor ... Chinese companies would likely be the major contractors if the project does move ahead.
Jump to these key moments:
- 1:23 Where in Thailand is the planned location?
- 6:39 Farmers taking action
- 13:53 The economic argument
- 15:45 China in the mix?
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Source: CNA/cr
