Cable car divide

With its digital cash wallet scaled back and its casino entertainment policy under fire, the Pheu Thai Party has been in search of a good news story, and so in the past week, it touted the building of a cable car in Loei province's Phu Kradueng National Park.

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Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong held a press conference on May 22, proudly telling the media that the long-delayed project would be completed during his term.

He vowed that the 4.4km cable car system, with 32 cars, would start operating in the early part of 2027.

The Pheu Thai Party has been attempting to develop a cable car in Phu Kradueng since Thaksin Shinawatra became prime minister two decades ago.

However, from the outset, the cable car in Phu Kradueng National Park has been a symbol in the ongoing debate between natural conservation and development.

Many governments over the past three decades have attempted but failed to make the project a reality.

Every attempt has met with fierce resistance from conservation groups, calling for the prime national park to remain as it is.