RANONG, Thailand – Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has pledged to push ahead with transport infrastructure aimed at closing key “missing links” in southern Thailand, with a particular focus on connecting the Andaman coast with the Gulf of Thailand. Anutin made the remarks on August 9 while presiding over a charity robe-offering ceremony at Ranong Hospital in Mueang Ranong district. He said the government would continue developing transport connections to make travel and freight movement through the South more seamless. For Ranong, the government plans to strengthen transport infrastructure and improve the capacity of its port, including expanding its ability to handle containerised cargo. The aim is to create a stronger foundation for trade and logistics while linking Ranong with wider regional transport networks.
The development will be carried out in stages, with decisions based on cargo volumes, market demand and investment feasibility. The government intends to expand capacity in line with future economic opportunities rather than building infrastructure ahead of actual demand. Anutin said improved transport links could give Ranong a larger role in regional trade. European goods could potentially enter Thailand through Ranong before being distributed to the South and further north toward China, while Thai exports could use the province as a gateway to markets in India, the Middle East and Europe.
He compared the strategy to building commercial opportunities step by step, beginning with infrastructure capable of meeting existing demand before expanding further when market conditions justify additional investment. Anutin also addressed the debate over the proposed Land Bridge project, saying studies had already been carried out and the government remained prepared to expand transport infrastructure in whatever form proves necessary.
He said residents of Ranong, Chumphon and nearby provinces should consider the potential benefits of major transport development and make their views known. At the same time, he stressed that the government would listen if local communities ultimately rejected the project. “If the people of Ranong and Chumphon say no, we will not build it,” Anutin said, adding that he believed local residents would not want to miss an economic opportunity if they saw clear benefits for their communities.
For now, Anutin said Ranong already has a transport and logistics network capable of supporting current demand. Any future expansion should be considered gradually, based on demand, economic opportunities and the views of local residents. The prime minister stressed that the government would continue listening to public opinion while assessing which development options would deliver the greatest benefit for Ranong, the South and the country as a whole.
