Southern Economic Corridor and Land Bridge link eyed by Prachuap

Prachuap Khiri Khan officials have discussed how the province could connect with and benefit from the Southern Economic Corridor, as Thailand moves forward with plans for the Land Bridge project.

The issue was raised during a meeting of the Joint Public and Private Sector Committee for Economic Development and Problem Solving of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, held on April 27 at Prachuap Khiri Khan Provincial Hall.

The meeting was chaired by Mr Sitthichai Sawatsan, Governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan, and attended by Mr Preeda Sukjai, Deputy Governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan, along with heads of government agencies and representatives from the public and private sectors.

Officials discussed several issues related to the province’s economic development, including how Prachuap Khiri Khan could position itself to benefit from the Southern Economic Corridor, or SEC, following clearer signals from the government that the project will continue to move forward.

The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council recently reported that the SEC currently covers Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani and Nakhon Si Thammarat.

The project focuses on several target industries, including agro-industry and food, bio-industry, tourism and wellness tourism.

A major part of the government’s plans is the Land Bridge project, which is designed to improve transport and logistics links across southern Thailand.

The Land Bridge is planned as an overland connection between the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, with deep-sea ports in Ranong and Chumphon connected by road and rail infrastructure.

The project has long been discussed as an alternative to the historic Kra Canal concept. Rather than cutting a waterway across the peninsula, the Land Bridge would require cargo to be unloaded at one port, transported across land, and reloaded at the other side.

Supporters say the project could reduce shipping times, strengthen Thailand’s role as a regional logistics hub and attract foreign investment. Officials have also linked the project to wider development of the Southern Economic Corridor.

However, the project has also faced scrutiny over its cost, environmental impact and the effect it could have on local communities.

Prachuap looks to connect through Chumphon

Although Prachuap Khiri Khan is not currently listed among the main SEC provinces, officials said the province could link with the project through the southern Gulf of Thailand provincial cluster.

That cluster includes Surat Thani, Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Songkhla.

Officials said Chumphon would be the key connection point for Prachuap Khiri Khan, allowing the province to link with other areas included in the SEC.

The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council is still working to build understanding among relevant sectors. It is also studying how projects can be developed between provincial clusters, with the findings expected to help guide future projects and activities.

At the meeting, the Prachuap Khiri Khan Joint Public and Private Sector Committee discussed areas where the province could develop stronger links with the SEC.

One area highlighted was the processing of high-value agricultural products.

Prachuap Khiri Khan is one of Thailand’s key agricultural provinces, with strong production in sectors including pineapples, coconuts and other crops. Officials see value-added processing as one possible route for the province to benefit from regional economic development linked to the SEC.

Tourism and wellness tourism were also discussed in the wider context of the SEC’s target industries.

New transport station also discussed

The meeting also considered plans for a passenger transport station in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The Provincial Transport Office reported that a request to use land belonging to the State Railway of Thailand remains unclear. As a result, officials proposed looking for alternative sites from the private sector.

Business organisations or private operators with suitable land in high-potential locations are being asked to consider proposing sites for the project. Officials said the preferred site would be at least 3 to 5 rai.

Local administrative organisations were also invited to work with the private sector on joint investment in construction and management.

Under the proposal, the private sector would develop the site as a passenger transport station alongside commercial space, such as a distribution centre or small shopping centre.

Officials said this mixed-use model could help make the project more viable and allow it to move forward more quickly.

The government would support the project through regulations, legal procedures and the organisation of transport routes.

The discussions reflect Prachuap Khiri Khan’s efforts to prepare for wider changes in southern Thailand’s economy, even though the province is not one of the core SEC provinces.

Officials said the province could still benefit by strengthening transport links, developing target industries and connecting with nearby provinces already included in the Southern Economic Corridor.