Bangkok: Former Senator Suradech Yasawasdi has expressed strong opposition to the ongoing government study of the land bridge project, which is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Ekniti Nitithanprapha. He argues that the project is a misallocation of resources and would ultimately be unable to compete with Singapore's port.

According to Thai News Agency, Suradech, who has also served as a Member of Parliament and deputy leader of the Palang Pracharath Party, believes that the land bridge project, which involves the development of deep-sea ports on both the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand connected by rail and expressways, is economically unfeasible. Citing a study by Chulalongkorn University conducted through the National Economic and Social Development Council, he points out the project's high risks, including costly transshipment processes and potential cargo damage. With an estimated investment of over 1 trillion baht, Suradech warns that the project would exacerbate Thailand's public debt, surging it beyond the current 12 trillion baht.

Suradech highlights Singapore's Tuas Port project as a superior alternative, noting that its completion will provide a cargo capacity of over 65 million TEU per year, far outstripping Thailand's potential capacity. He criticizes the land bridge project as a futile endeavor similar to the failed Hopewell project, arguing that it lacks the cost-effectiveness demonstrated in studies by both Chulalongkorn University and Japanese institutions.

In contrast, Suradech advocates for the Thai Canal project, a 135-kilometer infrastructure plan connecting the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand through several provinces. He recalls his leadership in promoting this project internationally, particularly to China, which expressed interest in supporting it. Despite concerns about international opposition, especially from the United States, Suradech clarifies that the Thai Canal is intended for trade and would not allow passage of Chinese warships, addressing fears of territorial division and security threats.

Suradech contends that Singapore's resistance to the Thai Canal is a significant barrier, alleging that the city-state's influence has led the U.S. to discourage the project in favor of the land bridge. He maintains that China's backing for the Thai Canal, which promises economic benefits through Special Economic Zones, presents a viable alternative that should not be hindered by geopolitical concerns. Suradech reiterates that failing to pursue the Thai Canal would result in missed opportunities for Thailand, advocating for strategic cooperation with China's railway system as a more beneficial course of action.