'Land Bridge' hit by land buying claims

PUBLISHED : 8 May 2026 at 05:31

NEWSPAPER SECTION: News

WRITER: Apinya Wipatayotin

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The proposed Land Bridge project is under renewed scrutiny after reports emerged of large-scale land purchases in Ranong before the scheme was approved, fuelling concerns over speculation and potential impacts on local communities.

The controversy intensified after an opposition politician and an environmental campaigner alleged that more than 500 rai of land in Ranong had been acquired over the past two to three months by nominee-linked companies connected to investors anticipating the megaproject.

People's Party list MP and spokeswoman Pukkamon Nunarnan criticised the government for promoting the Land Bridge without fully explaining its background or implications.

"Selling the Land Bridge dream without explaining where the project comes from is too opportunistic," she stated. "If the government wants to use the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) model, who can guarantee the same problems [plaguing the EEC] will not happen again in the South?"

She urged Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn to visit affected communities directly rather than rely on organised meetings, claiming residents in Ao Khoei, Ranong, are prepared to provide information about land acquisitions linked to a business figure locally known as "Ama".

According to Ms Pukkamon, more than 500 rai of land in the area has already been sold to various companies despite the project still being under study.

The Land Bridge proposal involves the construction of deep-sea ports in Ranong and Chumphon connected by a 90km dual-track railway and motorway for cargo transfer, together with logistics hubs and a Special Economic Zone designed to position Thailand as a regional transport and logistics centre.

Former national parks chief Chaiwat Limlikit-aksorn, who has been investigating alleged forest encroachment in Pak Triam forest in Ranong, also linked the land acquisitions to the project.

Mr Chaiwat alleged that some plots had changed hands informally without legal title transfers.

"Ama knows every state project detail because there are people protecting the operation," Mr Chaiwat claimed, alleging influential figures assisted Ama with land acquisitions and exploiting loopholes in land laws.

He also announced plans to petition the Administrative Court next week for an injunction to suspend an Interior Ministry land survey project, arguing that state and forest land could fall into private hands.

Meanwhile, a Senate committee on natural resources and environment has opened an inquiry into alleged unlawful land title issuance and forest encroachment in Pak Triam.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul rejected accusations that the government was facilitating speculative land buying.

"Do not jump to conclusions before the project even starts," Anutin said.

He said a committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas would complete its study within 90 days.

Mr Anutin also dismissed criticism surrounding proposals allowing foreign land leases of up to 99 years, insisting all decisions would be based on study findings and public consultation.

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- KEYWORDS

- Thailand land bridge project

- Ranong land acquisition

- Southern economic corridor

- Thailand logistics infrastructure

- Phiphat ratchakitprakarn

- Pak triam forest encroachment

- Thailand special economic zone