The government is preparing to push the Chana industrial estate and second deep-sea port project at the cabinet’s upcoming meeting in Songkhla.
Deputy government spokeswoman Ploytalay Laksmeesangchan said Songkhla was fully prepared to host the cabinet meeting, on Aug 31-Sept 1, with arrangements covering venues, public facilities, security, exhibitions, development proposals for the province and budget management.
Officials are expected to discuss the Chana industrial estate project, which includes the construction of Songkhla’s second deep-sea port, with a combined investment value of 18.68 billion baht. The project was previously cancelled during Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s administration.
At a preparatory meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn on Aug 9, officials discussed development proposals submitted by the Joint Public and Private Sector Committee for Economic Problem Solving (JPPCC). The meeting was attended by private-sector representatives and local officials in the five southern provinces of Songkhla, Satun, Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
The proposals focus on flood prevention, economic recovery, job creation, efforts to attract investment and infrastructure development. Private-sector representatives also called for the government to reconsider the Chana industrial estate, saying some land had already been prepared and the development could create a new investment and employment base.
The cabinet has also approved the results of a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) for the spatial development master plan covering Songkhla and Pattani.
Mr Phiphat said the government was willing to discuss the project with investors again, but any revival would have to ensure tangible benefits for residents of the five southern provinces, particularly in education and employment.
However, environmental activist Banjong Nasae on Saturday urged the cabinet to obtain complete information before making a decision. He proposed four measures: carefully reviewing the SEA’s findings, visiting the proposed industrial site, examining land ownership and disputed land title deeds and assessing the existing Chalung industrial estate.
Mr Phiphat previously said the government was not simply reinstating the old project and had assigned the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) to study it further. One key unresolved issue is the proposed deep-sea port.
He said the existing Songkhla deep-sea port was congested and could not be deepened beyond 9m because of underwater rock and the Hua Khao Daeng archaeological site. Further studies will determine whether a second deep-sea port is necessary to accommodate larger cargo vessels and support future economic growth.