OPINION

No to Land Bridge

Re: "Govt presses ahead with Land Bridge", (BP, April 26).

Our government should not make any financial commitments supporting a land bridge at the Kra isthmus; the risk is too great. The concept of a Kra logistics corridor was first proposed by Thaksin 20 years ago and vigorously pushed by him and successive PMs, claiming that the project would reduce shipping costs by 15% and cut shipping time by four days.

But over the past two decades, no major user or investor -- including Thaksin -- has formally committed their funds to building, using, or operating such a land bridge. Their silence is deafening -- for the claimed cost/money savings seem to be a mirage. If a private firm wants this project, let them put their money where their mouths are -- but not our funds or guarantees.

Re: "The Land Bridge dilemma", (Life, April 28).

Many thanks to former Post staff and award-winning journalist Supara Janchitfah for producing this truly important journalistic effort. I admire the courage and intelligence of Ranong residents who have organised themselves in opposition to the government's plans to develop a land bridge project between Chumphon and Ranong. PostBag has, over time, published a virtual compendium of the innumerable reasons why this project is an ill-conceived, destructive, unprofitable endeavour designed to benefit politicians and their cronies in industry. Big infrastructure is a politician's dream, and this one is the crème de la crème.

Often overlooked, however, is the significance of Ranong's Unesco biosphere mangrove site designation. Mangroves provide natural means for nutrient cycling, sediment trapping, and water filtration, maintaining the health of adjacent ecosystems like seagrass beds and coral reefs, which are vital for sustaining marine biodiversity and fisheries. Unesco's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program, initiated in 1971, highlights Ranong as a site of global importance for balancing conservation with sustainable development. It is Thailand's only biosphere reserve with mangrove areas and serves as a model for sustainable management of coastal ecosystems. As part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves, Ranong benefits from global collaboration, sharing knowledge and best practices for mangrove management.

Unesco designation is given to Thailand to ensure that the mangrove forests are protected from threats like deforestation, aquaculture expansion, and urban development. Globally, mangrove cover has declined by 35,600 km² between 1980 and 2005 due to human activities, making such designations critical. The Thai government must take this responsibility seriously and stop its greedy, nonsensical plans to destroy the greatest treasure Thailand has -- its biodiversity.

Re: "Safety drive doesn't deliver", (BP, April 10).

Motorcycles are the curse of Bangkok, completely oblivious to pedestrians and blatantly ignoring the law. The worst offenders are possibly the motorcycle delivery riders. They do actually believe that they do not have to obey any rules at all. It is still common for these riders to use pedestrian areas as special shortcuts, disregarding public safety.

I think it is time for the BMA or police to start fining the delivery companies as well as the riders (on the few occasions when they are caught). I suggest that the companies be fined 10 times the fine imposed on the rider. Perhaps it would encourage the companies to take responsibility for the actions of their riders. And not before time.

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