TRAT, Thailand – The chairman of the Trat Federation of Thai Industries has called on the government to move forward with the proposed 18.76-billion-baht expressway linking the mainland with Koh Chang, arguing that the project’s value should not be judged solely on its financial returns. Sutthilak Khumkhrongrak said the assessment should also take into account wider economic benefits, improved public services, better access to healthcare and education, reduced travel costs and the long-term development of tourism.
The latest feasibility study, commissioned by the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT), puts the estimated construction cost at 18.761 billion baht, up from an earlier estimate of approximately 13 billion baht. The increase reflects design modifications, including allowing motorcycles to use the crossing and raising its height to provide sufficient clearance for naval vessels to pass underneath.
According to the study, the project has an estimated economic internal rate of return of 13.62%, while its financial return stands at just 0.25%. The difference indicates that although the project could generate substantial benefits for the wider economy, direct revenue would not be sufficient to justify the investment on commercial grounds alone.
Sutthilak acknowledged that the financial return was low, but argued that assessing the project purely on its ability to generate revenue would overlook benefits that could improve the lives of island residents and support the wider provincial economy.
He pointed to potential savings in emergency medical transportation, improved access to education and public services, more convenient transport connections and opportunities to expand tourism and business activities.
Taking these indirect benefits into consideration, he believes the project’s broader economic value could be equivalent to a return of around 5–7% over a period of 10 years or more.
The industry representative said the bridge proposal had already been considered under a previous government but was delayed because discussions focused heavily on the investment cost and financial viability.
He warned that further delays could make the project considerably more expensive. Construction materials, labour and other costs are likely to rise over the coming decade, potentially pushing the investment far beyond its current estimated budget. Sutthilak urged the government to carefully consider the project’s long-term benefits, allocate an appropriate budget and establish a suitable financing and management structure to make the development possible.
Meanwhile, EXAT is holding its third public consultation round to present the conclusions of its feasibility study, covering engineering, economic and financial considerations, as well as environmental impacts.
Two public meetings have been scheduled. The first takes place on November 12, 2026, from 8.30am to noon at Trat City Hotel in Mueang Trat district. The second will be held on November 13, from 8.30am to noon at Aiyapura Resort on Koh Chang. The consultations provide residents, businesses and other interested parties with an opportunity to learn about the study findings and express their views before decisions are made on the proposed mainland-to-island connection.
