The land bridge dilemma

Ranong villagers fear for their environment and livelihood due to a proposed government project

- STORY: SUPARA JANCHITFAH

Somjai Yhopkan was among 100 villagers who braved the torrential rain to attend a public meeting at the 3rd Mangrove Forest Research Centre in a hilly area of lush Ranong province.

The event was to address the pro-posed government land bridge project — a 90km motorway and railway linking the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand with a deep-sea harbour on each end.

Ranong has long been known for its abundant marine and forest ecosystems. Its 170,000 rai Public Biosphere Reserve mangrove forest has been a designated Unesco site since 1997 and is currently nominated as a Natural Unesco World Heritage Site.

In the province's forests are many waterfalls and hot springs. Tourists visit for health and wellness. The coast is dotted with small islands and bays and the sea supports protected dolphins, otters and dugongs. More than 250 bird species are found in the province.

The meeting drew villagers and residents from different walks of life, including fishermen, durian growers and business people.

They came to the event to learn about outcomes of research into the project conducted by a civil society alliance comprising Beach For Life, the EnLaw Thai Foundation, Southern Human Rights Lawyers' Network and the Green South Foundation.

One attendee, Somjai, who lives in Ban Huay Ping in Ranong, works in small-scale fishing.

At the event, she saw a photograph of a large machine sucking sand to build the deep-sea port of Map Ta Phut in Rayong. It made her realise what might happen if the land bridge project in Ranong and Chumphon materialised.

Somjai and her husband are aware of the crucial role of the mangrove forest for her family's livelihood and well-being, and she knows her tambon is earmarked for the harbour development.