BANGKOK — 25 April 2026, Thailand's transport minister said he plans to submit a proposed "land bridge" megaproject to the Cabinet in June, aiming to capitalise on potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz while insisting the state will not fund the scheme.

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the project, estimated at around 1 trillion baht, would link ports on the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, creating a transshipment route between the Indian and Pacific oceans.

He said the plan aligns with earlier remarks by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul that the project should proceed, citing possible future instability in the Strait of Hormuz as an opportunity for Thailand.

Responding to criticism that transferring cargo between ports would increase shipping times, Phiphat said more than 90% of global container shipping involves transshipment rather than direct end-to-end delivery.

"If cargo is transferred at Thailand's ports, it would also have to be transferred elsewhere, such as in Singapore," he said, adding that Thailand is seeking to attract more transshipment traffic.

Phiphat said feasibility studies by the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning have been completed, and he will conduct a site visit in May. The project is expected to be opened to bidding for both domestic and foreign investors, with equal opportunities.

Construction could begin later this year, pending Cabinet approval, which he expects to seek between June and July.

He stressed that the government would not directly invest in the project but would grant land concessions to private investors.

Environmental and health impact assessments will be required, he said, acknowledging local concerns. Authorities will engage with communities to address opposition and clarify information, which he suggested may be influenced by activist groups.

Phiphat said the government aims to open the project for investment in the third quarter of 2026.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, speaking as leader of the Palang Pracharath party following the 2569 annual general meeting on April 25, noted the approval of meeting minutes and minor updates to party regulations.

When asked about his emphasis on party unity during the meeting, Anutin explained that cohesion has always been a defining symbol of Palang Pracharath. He stressed the need to reinforce this message as the party expands and welcomes new members, ensuring all members understand and maintain the party's core identity: internal solidarity and commitment to serving the nation and its people.

Addressed about potential internal divisions within the party, Anutin remarked humorously: "If there are any factions in Palang Pracharath, it's just me."

Deputy Transport Minister Panija Chuphanik chaired the third oversight committee meeting on April 25, 2569 to track the State Railway of Thailand's recovery plan implementation. SRT Governor Anant Pothnimdaeng and representatives from various transport and economic agencies participated. Chuphanik disclosed that the committee monitored SRT's progress on directives from the February meeting, emphasizing accelerated project completion within fiscal year 2569 timelines and focusing on strategic infrastructure development. Key directives include reviewing the request for 2,850 additional personnel positions aligned with rail transport policy; expediting procurement of 216 diesel locomotives with spare parts; accelerating the high-speed rail project phase 2 (Nakhon Ratchasima-Nong Khai) by revising the Terms of Reference with improved scope; advancing the suburban rail Missing Link extension projects (Bang Sue-Phaya Thai-Makkasan-Huai Khwang and Bang Sue-Hua Lamphong) with contract signing targeted for October; completing the overhaul of 21 diesel-electric locomotives by July; and planning to increase freight transport capacity on the ICD Lat Krabang-Laem Chabang route from 497,805 TEUs annually to 700,000 TEUs by 2570.

At 8:00 AM on April 25, 2569, at Narathiwat City Police Station, Pol. Col. Prayong Kotorsaekha, commander of Narathiwat Provincial Police, transferred Senior Sergeant Virojn Ketumani—one of five suspects in the alleged murder of Narathiwat MP Komlaksak Leewamaew—for additional questioning. Officers then petitioned Narathiwat Provincial Court for a remand order, with investigators conducting over an hour of additional questioning before the suspect was transported to court. When reporters asked Virojn about the charges, he briefly responded that he believes he is merely a small pawn in a local political conflict and that state agencies are uninvolved.

Virojn was escorted from the police station to the provincial court under heavy security by the Narathiwat Special Operations Unit. All five suspects in the case have been remanded in custody at Narathiwat Prison, including: Sompon Langdech (organizer), Alawi Awe (driver), Thanapat Wattanaphinyo (shooter), Sunthorn Phromphakdi (workshop owner), and Senior Sergeant Virojn Ketumani (shooter).

Narathiwat Prison officials report that the four detainees have adjusted well to prison life, though some anxiety remains, and staff maintain close supervision to prevent any self-harm. Investigators indicate that further examination is underway on multiple points, including financial transactions, meetings with other individuals, suspect travel patterns, and mobile phone communications. The victim's lawyer has submitted requests for thorough investigation into these details to potentially identify the person ordering the attack.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Supachai Panitchpakdi revealed on April 25, 2025, following discussions with US Ambassador to Thailand Sean Oniell on Friday, April 24, that the talks were constructive and reflected mutual confidence in elevating economic and trade relations between Thailand and the US, a partnership spanning over 190 years.

Supachai announced that the Thai government prioritizes negotiations on the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) with the US and is prepared to work closely with American counterparts. Thailand is committed to advancing the negotiations toward a quick conclusion to build confidence in both countries' business and market sectors.

Regarding US Section 301 investigations, Supachai emphasized that Thailand has provided comprehensive information on excess capacity and forced labor import ban issues, noting that many Thai exports are supply chain products supporting US manufacturing.

Thailand also affirmed its labor standards align with international norms and is ready to collaborate closely with the US for mutually beneficial outcomes.

Thailand has proposed that the US consider tariff exemptions for products it cannot produce domestically, particularly key agricultural exports, to minimize consumer impact in the US and promote more mutually beneficial trade.

Supachai also announced plans to visit the US in early May to attend the SelectUSA Investment Summit 2026, leading a delegation of Thai business leaders focused on expanding investment in key US sectors. He will also meet with USABC and USCC investors to promote bilateral investment and witness business cooperation agreements (MOUs), reflecting private sector confidence in the US economy and strategic partnership between both nations.

Thailand plans to balance trade by importing essential goods and raw materials from the US, such as agricultural and energy products, demonstrating Thailand's commitment as a responsible and reliable economic partner.

Supachai concluded that Thailand views the US as a strategically important trade partner, and these discussions reflect shared intent to elevate economic relations. Thailand stands ready to work closely with the US to achieve sustainable long-term mutual benefits.

In 2024, the US was Thailand's second-largest trading partner with total trade value exceeding $93.65 billion, with Thai exports to the US valued at $72.51 billion, covering major products including computers, rubber products, gems, automobiles, and air conditioning units. Thai imports from the US reached $21.14 billion.