Thailand's Transport Ministry to Form Committee for Southern Development Master Plan

On 5 August, Transport Minister Siripong Ankhasakulkeat announced that the Ministry of Transport has informed the Cabinet of its intention to establish a committee to study and draft a master plan for the development of Thailand's southern region. The committee will begin by consulting local stakeholders—including tourism, industry and trade councils as well as protest groups—and aims to complete the plan within one year to align with the current government's term. Appointment of the committee chair is expected to be presented to the Prime Minister next week. The new body will also reassess the controversial Land Bridge project, which a previous study deemed not cost‑effective, and will withdraw a pending proposal from the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy to the Natural Resources and Environment Office.