Parliament, “Opposition – Southern MPs” mobilized to oppose the Land Bridge project. “Pitha” said there was no clear answer. Is the investment of 1 trillion baht worth it or not? “Prasertphong” said it was embarrassing. “Ranong’s son-in-law” couldn’t solve the problem of the bridge over the Moken canal. He said, “Ask the people of the south, do they still want anything?”
At the meeting of the House of Representatives Agenda to report on the results of the consideration of the study of the motion on the study of the transportation infrastructure development project to develop the Southern Economic Corridor or Land Bridge, linking transportation between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman. According to the Special Committee Consider studying the Land Bridge project. With Mr. Wisut Chainarun, Pheu Thai Party list MP, as chairman, the committee has completed its consideration. Many MPs, especially the opposition and southern MPs, objected to the contents of the report. Committee that is unclear in many matters
Both the cost-effectiveness of the project Environmental impact Can’t answer the question about saving time. Cost of sailing route along with expressing concern about forest areas and many people’s livelihoods in the area have been lost.
Mr. Prasertphong Sornnuwat, Party list MP, Kaew Klai Party, discussed that this report only talks about good results. But not talking about the negative effects. There are many questions that the Office of Transport Policy and Planning (OTP) cannot answer, such as the impact on sea reclamation. The watershed forest has disappeared.
‘It’s not that I don’t want to develop the southern region. But have you ever asked people in the South what they want? This report only had 10 meetings, which was a tie. There are many shortcomings. There is no participation from the public. It is a development amidst the suffering of the people. The way of life of villagers who have lost their way of making a living It is not a small matter,’ Mr. Anutin said.
Mr. Prasertphong said that he woul
d like the government officials involved to come forward and tell the truth. that people benefit is a consulting company for the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning. And the report said that it would bring happiness to the community. How can it be given? The Cabinet (Cabinet) went to a meeting in Ranong and still could not solve the problem.
‘I cannot solve the problem of building a bridge across the canal for the Moken people. In the end, foreigners have to build bridges for children. Foreigners pay for the money. This government, the cabinet actually goes to a meeting. Ranong’s in-laws still can’t solve the problem. It’s embarrassing. Oh wow, I can’t take it,’ Mr. Prasertphong said.
Mr. Nattanon Srikorkua, Songkhla MP, Bhumjaithai Party, said that the investment in this project is 100% private or not. Are there any other options? If the private sector is not interested And what principles are used for granting concessions for 50-year projects, even though this project is beneficial to the
southern region? But there are 4 things that you need to be aware of: 1. Impact on the environment. 2. Compensation for expropriation must be fair. 3.Electrical management Water sources in the area pass through How to manage it so as not to affect the people in the area? 4. Will citing employment information in the area deceive the villagers? What makes people not trust the project is whether government agency information is 100% complete or not. Ask the committee to review it and listen to the different opinions of MPs as well.
Mr. Pitha Limjaroenrat Party list MP of the Move Forward Party said that this report stated that May help reduce transportation time and distance. There are many unanswered questions. The government must answer three important questions: 1. Is there no better option? In addition to implementing this project, 1 trillion baht will be used in the project. What can improve the competitiveness of the country? 2. How to manage risks of environmental impacts in the area? The project area is
6 world heritage sites, full of potential on land and water, requiring the expropriation of tens of thousands of rai of land. Loss of fishing areas, forests, durian growing areas. And a lot of fruit is a cost that must be paid. And 3. This project must strike a balance and show a clear vision for the maximum benefit of the country and the people. These are 3 important questions that remain unanswered in this report. If the government chooses the Land Bridge project Hoping to share the share of shipping in the region The question must be answered clearly in 3 elements: The project implementation route must be 1. faster 2. more convenient 3. cheaper, but the content of the report only says that it may reduce time, it cannot be inferred that it will be faster. Or is the transportation that must be used by boat, rail, or car convenient for transporting goods? As for the matter of being cheaper, there is no answer in the report. Must wait for details Therefore, if the government cannot answer the question Unable t
o receive this report.-
Source: Thai News Agency