Southern Seaboard Projects [Archive]

GWR

18-04-05, 10:52 PM

Recently heard that the TTM pipeline is already carrying unseparated gas to Malaysia. ......
..... an adjacent 700 MW natural gas-fired power plant;...... It seems the site is already being prepared for the commencement of construction in about May, 2005; with a very approximate finish date about 18 months hence. ..... :-
http://www.cogen3.net/presscuts/thailand/egatplansgasplantinsongkhla.html
I also thought that there were to be no adjacent downstream industries, but there is some talk that an industrial gas production plant is planned by Praxair. And other downstreamers too over the next ten years or so.

But then again, this page suggests they already have an 'atmospheric plant' in this area; by which I guess they mean a plant that extracts gases from the atmosphere rather than from a gas delivered to site.
http://www.praxair.com/Praxair.nsf/AllContent/AAE2ADC13A822E01852568FE00717B56?OpenDocument
I guess that could be construed as not strictly 'downstream', because it doesn't use natural gas from the pipeline. I also note from one report that Praxair expect strong future demand in Thailand for CO2 for food-freezing; something fairly important to local fish-processing plants; and Malaysia on the doorstep.
A new or improved deepwater port is also part of the plan. I've seen visualisations of a new fishing port at Songkhla, but nothing else in any media.

GWR

03-06-05, 11:06 PM

http://www.krc.co.th/tfrc/cgi/ticket/ticket.exe/4752792010/tfrc/eng/brief/bri04/apr/bman444b.htm

Location
Panarae District and Saiburi District, Pattani Province

Area
About 900 Rai

Target Industries
Integrated production and export of frozen chicken which will expand to other meats such as beef, mutton, lamb

Target Operation
- Final approval of design October 2005
- Begin construction January 2006
- Begin operations July 2007

Investment
About 500 million Baht

Number or Operators
About 50 operators

Operator Investment Value
About 1,800 - 3,500 million Baht

Hiring of Employees
About 1,500 - 3,000 employees

http://www.ieat.go.th/main/new02_1_en.php3

This project will involve co-operation with Malaysia & Indonesia. There will be a Halal Industrial Hub in Bukit Kayu Hitum,(Just over the border from Sadao District, in Malaysia) to promote and support Thai Halal Food Industrial Estate in Pattani province. Malaysia and Thailand are considering setting up a One–Stop Service and Single Inspection at the Sadao/Bukit Kayu Hitam border checkpoint in order to facilitate bilateral trade in Halal Products.

GWR

14-08-05, 10:12 PM

Traveller's passing along the coastal road about 15 Kms South of Songkhla confirm that there is a very large construction project happening in that area.
Google Sat Image of the coastal area soon to be 'The Mapthaput of the South'. The power plant will be located just north of the Natap Estuary at the centre of the sat. Further south is the current landfall of the TTM Pipeline with its completed two-unit gas separation plant. I've no idea how old these images are and don't have enough site knowledge to yet know if these sites can actually be located by zooming:-

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=7.070911,100.695190&spn=0.236931,0.322243&t=k&hl=en

GWR

15-08-05, 12:40 PM

The main road to Sadao runs right through the middle, N-S. Thunglung in the middle. North of Thunglung, W of the mainroad, is probably the STA Group Industrial Estate. This vast complex was built to manufacture furniture for export to Japan, using rubberwood. The plan when sadly awry about 10 years ago when the founder died. The resulting chaos left a company in tatters, with a feeding frenzy at all levels of management to run off with company assets before the whole thing collapsed. I can't tell you how this was resolved, but the complex now appears to sublet to several different board mills & furniture manufacturers. I suspect that are a lot of vacant buildings too. S of Thunglung are two Medical Glove Factories next to each other, also to the W of the road. Safeskin 1 is to the South and Siam Sempermed to the North. There appears to be a plume of smoke from a smokestack too:-
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=6.847521,100.468426&spn=0.059261,0.080561&t=k&hl=en

Right in the centre of the second Sat is Safeskin 2 (Probably the World's largest Medical Glove Factory) Look for a large 'boxy' area of white 'roof' to the West of the mainroad. Sadao is just visible under clouds to the South. You may have to zoom in a bit to see this image as I describe it; but unfortunately you can't zoom these images to the max on the scale 9in this vicinity):-

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ll=6.665631,100.433235&spn=0.059283,0.080561&t=k&hl=en

Wisarut

22-09-05, 01:09 PM

The New Songkla Pier may have to move from the current port due to the space constrains and the closed proximity to the the old Singkla Fortified Town at Khao Daeng. This would push the new pier to Sathing Phra or so ... If the pier is NOT going into Nakhon Srithammarat.

The New Songkal Pier must have the same accommodation as Pak Bara to ease the pressure on Laem Chabang.

GWR

22-09-05, 01:50 PM

I suspect you think we already know about this project, but I think most of us don't. Could you provide more detail?

Are you talking about a container port? And is this supposed to be in someway integrated with the proposed port at Pakbara.

It has frequently occurred to me that if you created a raillink to the Pak Bara port, Khuan Niang would one very likely location for the junction. It might also be a good location for the junction for a freight line to Songkhla port; with the line running across the narrow channel between Thale Luang and Thale Sap Songkhla.

Ditto for road links, from Seeyahk Khuha, passing through Khuan Niang. There is already a road bridge at this point (rarely marked on maps, but quite negotiable by most traffic), but I suspect its weight-loading is a bit limited judging by how much it wobbles when a truck crosses. New bridges would be necessary for a port connection. But, moving the port North a bit would make road & rail connections North of the lake even more feasible.

GWR

15-11-05, 11:07 PM

It seems that the Kra Canal fantasies are metamorphosing into new pipedreams. PATTAYA MAIL Vol. XIII No. 8 Friday February 25 - March 3, 2005. PM links tend not to work well, so you may have to SCROLL down or click the link titled 'Investors needed for the Landbridge Project':-

http://www.pattayamail.com/604/business.shtml#hd6

Investors needed for land bridge project

The Ministry of Energy is to approach the governments of China, South Korea and Japan to ask them about the progress they have made on plans to invest in Thailand’s strategic energy land bridge project, according to a senior ministry official.

All three countries have expressed an interest in investing in the project, and are currently studying the cost-effectiveness of investing in a 250 kilometer-long oil pipeline capable of coping with 1.5-2 million barrels a day, oil storage facilities on the Andaman and Gulf of Thailand coasts and an SPM buoy which will be able to receive 100,000-300,000 ton ships.

Pornchai Rujiprapha, deputy permanent secretary for energy, said that a letter would be sent to all three countries in the middle of this month to determine what progress they were making on the project. “If China, South Korea and Japan respond and are ready to invest in this project, we will be able to begin construction in 2010, completing within three years”, he said.

The Energy Ministry has asked the oil giant PTT Plc to study investment plans for the project, focusing on energy security, cost-effectiveness and environmental impact. The plans will also include proposals for a tsunami warning system.

According to a ministry source, one sticking point which could put off investors is the currently high price of steel, the principle raw material in construction. The source indicated that if the potential investors decided that the project was not cost effective, it would have to be put on hold until new investors could be found.

The land bridge project is intended to boost energy security and oil reserves, as well as lead to the development of downstream petrochemical industries in Thailand’s southern region. Linking west and east Asia, the project will reduce journey times and costs for oil transportation, obviating the need for oil tankers to go via the Malacca Straits. (TNA)

GWR

24-07-06, 11:58 AM

Your local insider input is greatly appreciated here Khun Rodfaithai. We'd like to see you come here more often.:)

The govt. has just renewed its plans for a port at Langu in Satun Province, with a freight line connecting it to the main system at Khuan Niang. The same report also hinted that another branch from Khuan Niang might also run to Songkhla Port. This would presumably run north of Thale Sap Songkhla, as there is an easily bridgeable outflow from Thale Luang (into Thale Sap Songkhla) just east of Khuan Niang. Indeed, there is already a road bridge at that point, which is rarely portrayed on road atlases, although it is quite convenient for most types of road traffic.

This may be little more than a vote-buying ploy of course, which can easily be dropped, when and if the locals refuse to chase the Thaksin carrot or be goaded by the Thaksin stick.

I will endeavor to rediscover the article where I saw this, but it didn't say much that I haven't already reported.

GWR

04-12-06, 08:03 AM

GWR

26-12-06, 09:21 PM

There is also another possible 'power' project about 40 Km away, also in Songkhla province; that might eventually lead to a lignite-fired power station. Saba Yoi is a district heavily embroiled in the Southern problem. My guess is that the government really will think twice about developing this one; given all the contentious pollution problems associated with the Mae Moh mine & power plant in much less politically volatile Northern Thailand.

I'm told the lignite deposits at Saba Yoi are very unlikely to be used for power generation purposes anytime soon, because of both trouble in the region and the pollution problems associated with lignite as a fuel. The new gas-fired power station near Songkhla is likely to greatly reduce the demand in the South for electricity imports from both Malaysia and Thailand's Central Region.

GWR

26-12-06, 10:02 PM

Also a picture from an EIA on the Port Operation of PTTEP Jetty Project, Songkhla Province, Thailand, 2004: Petroleum Authority of Thailand Exploration and Production International Co., Ltd. (PTTEP), approx. construction cost US$ 42 million.:-

http://www.seatecgroup.com/image/environment/environment1.jpg

From:-

http://www.seatecgroup.com/02EnvironNatural.html

I'm not altogether clear why this jetty was built, given constant reports that most of the exploration in the Gulf is moving North closer to Chumpon. I was under the impression that Songkhla's exploration role was being wound down.

Take a look at this Google link and compare it with the photo links above: -

http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/download.php?Number=731841

GWR

30-12-06, 11:44 PM

GWR

24-02-07, 05:46 PM

PM Surayud suggests that common ethnicity and religion may have a role to play in the development of the deep south. There is a bit of a snag in this, however. There already is quite a lot of Malaysian investment in the five provinces nearest to the border, and even further North. Many of the investors are Malaysian Chinese who wish to break away from the business impositions they feel they suffer in their country of birth. Many have a home and a family here too. In future, this group is probably going to be rather more reluctant to invest in the region. Indeed, some of the arson attacks on companies may well have happened because they have a high degree of Malaysian Chinese involvement.

Another factor is that many Malaysians (of all ethnicity) view Thailand as a place where many business transactions are of a rather dubious nature. They believe that if they run into trouble with their local partners they may have little recourse to the legal system to sort out their business conflicts.

Thai PM urges Malaysians to invest in troubled south.

KUALA LUMPUR - Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has urged Malaysians to plough money into troubled southern Thailand, admitting unrest there was scaring off "foreign" investors, state media said Saturday.

Surayud said his government was doing its best to ensure security in Thailand's southern Muslim-majority provinces bordering Malaysia, where an insurgency has left more than 1,900 people dead over three years.

"Some foreigners would hesitate to invest (there)," he told Malaysia's official Bernama news agency in an interview.

"But as for Malaysia, in the area which I think you have common ethnicity and common religion, it is very good for Malaysians to invest in the southern part of Thailand," he said.

Predominantly Muslim Malaysia and mostly Buddhist Thailand share a long, porous border, and nationals on both sides have close cultural, social and religious ties.

Southern Thailand has a history of separatist violence, ever since Thailand annexed it a century ago. It was previously an autonomous ethnic Malay sultanate.

A recent surge in attacks saw suspected separatists last week set alight Thailand's largest rubber warehouse in the troubled deep south, jointly owned by Malaysians and Thais.

The attack prompted calls from Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak for Thailand to ensure the security of Malaysian investments in the kingdom's south.

But Surayud, who hailed talks with Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as an opportunity to boost cross-border ties, said Malaysians were at an advantage in southern Thailand because of their close links, Bernama reported.

"You have the advantage of the ethnic relations, religious relations with the locals and they don't have any discrimination against Malaysian investors," he said.

Malaysia has offered to help Thailand resolve the crisis and Surayud said the countries were also cooperating in social, education and economic areas.

Both countries plan to establish electricity transmission links and an industrial zone at their common border which could see Thai workers supplying Malaysian factories, he said.

"Malaysia is going to set up an area for industrial activity, which is close to Thailand," he said.

Agence France-Presse

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/24/headlines/headlines_30027800.php

GWR

26-03-07, 11:41 PM

GWR

27-03-07, 11:07 PM

27 March 2007 More Halal foods from the South to be exported
Halal foods from the three southern border provinces of Thailand will be promoted in the international markets.

The Deputy Director-General of the Economic Division under the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC), Mr. Chuang Chartariyakul (เชื่อง ชาตอริยกุล), chaired the meeting with the agricultural and industrial sectors from the deep South. The meeting discussed the progress of Halal foods' promotion. Mr. Chuang says the market has a high demand for Halal foods, and the southern industry has a high capability of producing them. In addition, a 200-million-baht factory has been set up to produce Halal foods in Nong Chik district of Pattani province.

Mr. Chuang says southern farmers can sell their produces to the factory, and in return, they will have higher earnings. He says Halal foods from the South are being exported to Indonesia, China, and Malaysia.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255003270034

GWR

30-04-07, 07:39 AM

One hopes that this plan represents more than just some bored civil servant's cigarette carton doodle. Indeed, why were no moves made towards this in more secure times in the past? Petrochemical complexes do not tend to generate many jobs for locals (anywhere) with few qualifications. It is also interesting to note that this region still tends to import the likes of Myanmese and Cambodians for low-paid laboring, as such jobs tend to run against local aspirations. But more realistically, such a complex would probably be built with labor from from NE Thailand and the expertise of engineers currently associated with the Eastern Seaboard:

INDUSTRY PETROCHEMICAL DEVELOPMENT

Pattani may be tapped for large industrial site YUTHANA PRAIWAN

The area targeted for the Southern Seaboard development and a new petrochemical complex may be shifted to Pattani, from Sichon district in Nakhon Si Thammarat, in a bid to improve social, economic and political stability in the three restive southernmost provinces.

The shift to a coastal area in Pattani was proposed by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, according to Energy Minister Piyasvasti Amranand.

Dr Piyasvasti said the premier expressed the view that the violence in the southern border provinces would end by the end of this year, and that moving the Southern Seaboard to Pattani would send a strong signal to local people.

Petrochemicals and chemicals are the most appropriate industries for the Southern Seaboard as they would provide huge economic benefits to locals, he added.

Governments for two decades have been discussing ways to bring more industrial development to the South. Lately, the talk has taken on more urgency because of pollution and environmental problems in the heavily industrialised Eastern Seaboard centred in Rayong province.

The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) is expected to complete a study on the Pattani proposal within one month, said Deputy Industry Minister Piyabutr Cholvijarn.

Earlier, Mr Piyabutr said Sichon had enormous potential since the environmental impact from development would be less than in other areas, and it could accommodate a deep seaport.

The area was selected by the previous government as part of an ambitious energy landbridge plan linking the Andaman Sea with the Gulf of Thailand.

Mr Piyabutr said the NESDB first drew up a plan 17 years ago for industrial development in Pattani. It called for developing a landbridge linking Pattani on the Gulf with Satun on the Andaman coast.

The original study said Pattani was suitable for a deep seaport with a water depth of 26 metres to accommodate vessels up to 300,000 tonnes. Even larger vessels could be served at a 40-metre-deep port in Satun, it said.

Mr Piyabutr said the plan for the Southern Seaboard area would be wrapped up within the term of this government. Infrastructure development would take about three years, with another two years for industries to set up operations.

PTT Plc is expected to spearhead a move to the South, since company studies have indicated that its existing petrochemical site at Map Ta Phut, Rayong, cannot be expanded any further.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/30Apr2007_biz26.php

GWR

31-07-07, 12:39 PM

It appears this project hasn't died yet, although no mention of rail links here. My guess is that this project will go ahead in some shape or form, because Satun Province is one of four selected for special development projects in an attempt to prevent any further drift to separatist sentiments: -

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2006...s_30020636.php

Satun deep-sea port in the pipeline

The government is considering spending Bt10 billion on building a large deep-sea port in the southern province of Satun in the next two years, to boost Thailand's logistics growth, Commerce Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet said yesterday.

The ministry will discuss the plan with the Transport Ministry.

A port at Pak Bara in Satun was proposed by the ousted Thaksin government, but it was never decided whether to build a small or a large one.

Krirk-krai said he saw an opportunity to build a large port so that it would improve logistics and relieve traffic at Laem Chabang deep-sea port in Chon Buri.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/03/27/business/business_30030310.php

Not too surprisingly, it looks as if Malaysia has completely beaten Thailand out of the blocks in creating transportation hubs for the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT). It also looks like Malaysian Padang Besar is going to get an even bigger Inland Railway Freight Terminal, drawing even more container traffic from Thailand to be shipped through Malaysia:

July 31, 2007 12:20 PM

Penang Set To Be Logistics And Transportation Hub For NCER

BUTTERWORTH, July 31 (Bernama) -- Penang is set to take off as the logistics and transportation hub for the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) and its role will be strengthened with a series of projects, including ambitious plans for a RM2 billion integrated terminal for rail, road and sea travel.

The state's strategic location and superior infrastructure make it a natural gateway for the NCER as well as for the Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand-Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) hinterland.

Under the NCER blueprint, which was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi yesterday, an integrated terminal called "Central Transportation Hub" will be jointly built by Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB) and Pelaburan Hartanah Bumiputera Bhd in Butterworth.

MRCB chairman Datuk Azlan Zainol said the transportation hub, to be modelled after Kuala Lumpur Sentral, would be the main integrated transport terminal for Penang, combining rail, road and sea services.

He said it would be located at the existing Butterworth train, bus and ferry terminal and the hub would integrate KTM's rail services, road transport facilities and the ferry services operated by Penang Port Sdn Bhd.

"This transportation hub, covering 12 hectares, has an estimated gross development value in excess of RM2 billion and the hub will also have retail, commercial and residential development," he said in a statement released here today.

Also in the pipeline are a slew of infrastructure projects, including the Second Penang Bridge, the monorail and Penang Outer Ring Road.

At the same time, the Penang Port and Bayan Lepas International Airport (LTABL) will be expanded to handle more cargo and passenger traffic.

The expansion of Penang Port, which will be repositioned as the leading port in northern Malaysia and the premier IMT-GT port, will involve deepening of the container wharves and expanding container yards.

To increase connectivity and encourage the NCER to become the processing centre that adds value to agricultural produce from the Sumateran and Thai hinterland, the government is expected to evaluate incentives to make Penang the port of choice for shipping lines on a north or west route.

The target is to increase the containerised cargo processed at Penang Port from 770,000 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) in 2005 to one million TEUs by 2012.

Meanwhile, the existing LTABL will be expanded to turn the airport into the premier air cargo hub within the IMT-GT, supporting industrial parks and creating premium overseas markets for perishable high value products.

The planned expansion of the airport's facilities will include developing new passenger and cargo terminals, and the addition of a new runway to cater for increased traffic.

-- BERNAMA

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=276480

GWR

03-09-07, 10:37 AM

My guess is that a lot of the investment talked about below is actually in the border community of Dannok, which is within Sadao District. Dannok is a bit of a wild west town in some respects, but I suppose it allows Malaysians the possibility of a quicker escape back across the border than is possible from places like Hat-Yai - in times of terrorist attack. With rising fuel costs and a more critical attitude from "'er indoors", it probably also offers a more cost & time-effective alternative to Hat-Yai. In effect, you can slip in and slip out again before your major Malaysian wife has even realized you have left the house. She may also not notice such big telltale inroads on your bank account:;)

INVESTMENT / IMPACT OF SOUTHERN UNREST

Sadao emerging as safe and prosperous haven

PHUSADEE ARUNMAS

Sadao district, a small town in Songkhla province on the Thailand-Malaysia border, has emerged as a bustling business centre, as unabated bombings in the three restive southernmost provinces and security worries in Hat Yai have prompted investors to shift into the area.

Hotel and entertainment businesses have been booming in Sadao over the last three years, with combined investment capital exceeding 10 billion baht, according to Thawee Piyapatana, chairman of the provincial chapter of the Federation of Thai Industries.

Four new hotels with combined capacity of about 500-600 rooms are also being constructed.

Hat Yai, long considered the business hub of the South and also popular with tourists, has been relatively sluggish ever since bombing incidents began to spread beyond the three troubled border provinces.

The situation would not likely return to normal as long as the border provinces remain unstable, Mr Thawee predicted. Tourists from Malaysia have tended to stop off in Hat Yai before going on to Trang province, which is home to many more attractive tourism spots.

Other southern provinces, particularly Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani, are experiencing substantial growth, as former residents of the three troubled provinces have been relocating.

However, the now-ebbing Jatukarm Ramathep amulet fever also played a key part in the growing economy in Nakhon Si Thammarat, while Surat Thani is benefiting from the presence of new alternative energy ventures and power plants to drive growth.

According to Mr Thawee, while industrial factories in the South such as the frozen seafood, and rubber-based furniture have been hard hit by strong baht, there are no signs of layoffs yet.

In fact, he said, the Southern factories were facing a labour shortage of about 20,000 to 30,000 people, particularly manual workers.

Somjit Anuntamek, deputy secretary-general of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and president of the Southern Economic Development Committee, said the economy of the South was expected to drop this year because of lower farmers' income, as the prices of major agricultural products and indigenous fruits such as rambutan, mangosteen, and longong had fallen sharply.

The purchasing power of Southerners, be it for new cars, motorcycles or houses, has declined accordingly.

New investments in the South are also expected to be fairly small because of unrest in the three southernmost provinces.

The southern economy contributed about 9.9% of the country's gross domestic product worth of 7.78 trillion baht last year.

GDP growth in the South was 4.3% in 2006.

''I personally see the government's special economic zone which covers Yala, Pattani, Songkhla, Narathiwat and Satun province will magnify the problem,'' said Mr Somjit. ''The government would be better off limiting the area to only the three provinces and solve the problem more seriously within a limited area.''

May expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/03Sep2007_biz25.php

GWR

06-09-07, 11:31 PM

Right now in Malaysia, every new project designed to favor the Barisan Nasional at the next election is being termed a 'growth corridor'. Now they're trying to sell this buzz-term to their neighbors. One truly wonders how corridor-like a threesome can ever be!::confused: :p

September 06, 2007 23:19 PM

Shahidan Suggests Name Change For IMT-GT

From Adnan Jahaya

SONGKHLA (Thailand), Sept 6 (Bernama) -- Malaysia wants the regional development initiative called the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) to be known as the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Corridor (IMT-GC).

The name change was proposed by Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim who led the Malaysian delegation at the 14th IMT-GT ministerial meeting which ended today.

"There's no longer a growth triangle as the size has changed. The present name is no longer suitable," he told Malaysian reporters here today.

Shahidan, who is also Perlis Menteri Besar, said the area had now expanded to include 32 provinces and states in the three countries.

He said he would submit the proposal to the Economic Planning Unit at the Prime Minister's Department for possible discussion at the next meeting of IMT-GT senior officials.

On the three-day IMT-GT meeting which was attended by 200 people, Shahidan said it was a success.

-- BERNAMA
Full link address uncopiable:
http://www.bernama.com.my/

GWR

08-09-07, 08:31 PM

Industry Ministry, BoI propose Pattani Halal food processing estate

BANGKOK, Sept 8 (TNA) -- Deputy Industry Minister Piyabutr Cholvijarn said his ministry and the government-run Board of Investment (BoI) are jointly considering to develop an industrial estate in the troubled southern province of Pattani as a Halal food production centre.

Speaking to a seminar attended by participants and representatives of more than 57 Islamic countries worldwide on Friday, Mr. Piyabutr said that more than 10 Halal food producers are now producing and exporting from Pattani, and he believed that demand for the specialised food products by the over two billion Muslim population worldwide offers expanded market possibilities.

The most important thing for Thai Halal food producers is to improve quality and meet required standards, he said.

Last year, Thailand exported cooked chicken and seafood under a certified Thai Halal brand worth more than Bt70 billion while the export revenue on the food in 2007 is projected to be nearly Bt100 billion, or an expansion of about 43 per cent.

The growth of Halal food exports is expected to be sustained, although the restive South, including Pattani, is still encountering militant violence, but growing numbers of food operators are anticipated to invest in the industrial estate, said Mr. Piyabutr.

In August, the municipal council of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) approved the Thai Halal brand, 24 chicken slaughterhouses, and 36 chicken processing factories after officials from the UAE municipal council visited Thailand to inspect and assess the Halal food production processes run by the Islamic Committee Office of Thailand.

The UAE also certified the quality of Thai cooked chicken products to be exported to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and the Sultanate of Oman. (TNA)-E111
http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=31520

Earlier proposals for this project:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=4849&postcount=32

GWR

16-09-07, 01:31 PM

16 September 2007
FTI to construct new ports in the South

Deputy Secretary-General of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), Thanit Sorat (ธนิต โสรัตน์), says FTI has approved the construction of ports in the South in preparation for an expansion of the Eastern Sea Board Industrial Estate.

The deputy secretary-general says the new ports are expected to reduce the cost of production of the logistic sector. They will be constructed at Tambon Thai Mueang (ท้ายเหมือง), Phangnga province, and Tambon Pak Bara (ปากบารา), Satun province.

According to Mr Thanit, Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont has approved the construction of the two ports and the local residents have shown support for them. Mr Thanit affirms the new ports are worthy of investment.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter05
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255009160001

Last report on this project in this thread:
http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=16164&postcount=139

GWR

21-09-07, 12:21 AM

20 September 2007
Commerce Minister says 5 Southern border provinces are best Halal food production sites
Commerce Minister Krirkkrai Jirapaet (เกริกไกร จีระแพทย์) says the five southern border provinces are the best production sites of Halal food in Thailand, adding that the ministry will promote Thai Halal food in foreign markets.

The minister has presided over an opening ceremony of a seminar on Thailand’s Muslim products in foreign markets in Songkhla province. The seminar has been arranged to educate Halal food producers in the five Southern provinces about Halal food markets abroad.

Last year, the value of Halal food in global market reached 60 billion US dollars. However, Thailand’s export of Halal food accounted for only 330 million US dollars.

The minister says he has instructed the Ministry of Commerce to organize a campaign on development of Thai Halal food. He expects that the campaign will benefit the economy, trade, and investment in the southernmost provinces.

In the meantime, the Director-General of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC), Mr. Pranai Suwannarat (พระนาย สุวรรณรัฐ), affirms that the SBPAC is ready to assist Halal producers and promote the Halal production of the southern region.
Reporter : RTI-Reporter04
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255009200027

GWR

11-11-07, 08:15 PM

NESDB, ADB cooperate to develop industry in south

BANGKOK, Nov 11 (TNA) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will conduct a seven-month study, starting from mid-November, on mapping a new industrial development plan for southern Thailand as part of a cooperation between the agency and the Thai government's National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB).

Under the agreement, ADB will initially offer US$300,000 while the Bangkok government will contribute US$100,000 to fund the study, aimed at developing industries in the southern region, including the three insurgency-plagued provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat, during the next two decades.

Plans specified in the current five-year 10th National Economic and Social Development Plan, implemented since October 1, will be used as the basis for development plans in the southern region.

Five strategies are specified in the 10th National Economic and Social Development Plan. They are human and social development, building strong communities to serve as building-blocks for the nation and to develop a
dependable community-level economy to co-exist harmoniously with nature and surrounding environment, improve production methods to be competitive on the global scale, preserving the environment, and good governance.

Both the NESDB and ADB advisors have agreed to promote related industries in the South from raw materials which are abundant in the region such as rubber and palm oil in order to create value-added products during the first phase of development.

Others are developing deep sea ports which would stimulate the production of automobile tires, auto production and parts, rubber gloves, and bio-energy.

On plans to develop petro-chemical industry in the region, both agencies have agreed that opinion must be sought and better understanding must be made with the local residents, especially with people living in Khanom district of Nakhon Si Thammarat province, where an onshore gas pipeline from the Gulf of Thailand, is now visible.

Regarding plans to develop the three restive provinces, investment between state and state, or inviting investors from the Muslim Middle East in the area are thought possible as they could help reduce the violence. (TNA) - E111

Economic News : Last Update : 15:39:19 11 November 2550 (GMT+7:00)

http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=1273

GWR

17-11-07, 07:26 PM

Japanese investors seek upstream steel, eco-car investments

TOKYO, Nov 17 (TNA) - Several major Japanese investors are keen to invest in high-quality upstream steel and fuel-saving eco-cars in Thailand, Deputy Prime Minister Kosit Panpiemras announced on Saturday.

Mr. Kosit, who is also industry minister, said after meeting with senior executives of Nissan and the Nippon Steel Corp. that the latter expressed interest on investing in steel business in Thailand in which Thailand wanted investment in upstream steel while Nissan queried on promotional incentives given by the Thai government on eco-car industry.

"Regarding eco-cars, there're at least two manufacturers with a combined investment of about Bt15 billion wanting to invest," said Mr. Kosit.

"Investment in upstream steel will have a total value of more than Bt100 billion. Investment in both sectors will be on a long-term basis and investors aren't worried about short-term risks such as rising oil prices."

He said the Thai government-run National Economic and Social Development Board had been assigned to conduct a study on investment in upstream steel within the Southern Seaboard in order to prevent problems from arising like the one at Mab Ta Phut Industrial Estate in the eastern province of Rayong.

"Good project management and public participation should be considered to avoid protest like Mab Ta Phut," he said.

Three southern provinces – Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Surat Thani – are presently considered as the most appropriate places for constructing upstream plants, he added. (TNA)-E111

Economic News : Last Update : 12:40:52 17 November 2550 (GMT+7:00)
http://etna.mcot.net/view.php?id=1362

Nippon proposes $3bn iron smelter

Southern Seaboard is proposed new site

YUTHANA PRAIWAN

Tokyo _ Japan's leading steel company, Nippon Steel, is considering investing in an iron smelter that would cost US$3 billion and be located on a Thai government-owned industrial estate in the Southern Seaboard.

The company demonstrated a ''strong intention'' to pursue the venture in talks with Thai officials holding an investment roadshow in Japan, Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras said yesterday.

He said the company was now preparing a draft of letter of intent to submit to the Thai government. The Industry Ministry and related agencies would spend six months conducting a feasibility study together with Nippon Steel and review all technical details in depth.

''The project requires massive capital, they definitely need to be extremely cautious,'' Mr Kosit said.

Thailand's Sahaviriya Group has begun developing its own 500-billion-baht smelter, the country's first, at its site in Prachuap Khiri Khan province. The entire project would take place in five phases over 15 years, with production in the first phase due to begin in 2009.

Sahaviriya director Win Viriyaprapaikit denied a rumour that Nippon Steel had approached the Thai company about a joint venture in the Sahaviriya project.

Mr Kosit said the investment by Nippon Steel would exclude the costs of land and infrastructure that the government would offer to develop and operate for the investors.

Another leading Japanese steelmaker, JFE Steel, also has reportedly expressed interest in a venture in Thailand.

The Thai delegation led by the Board of Investment also held talks this week with Nissan and Suzuki, which have agreed to invest in eco-car production, but details were not disclosed.

The government wants to create a major industrial hub in the South, to stimulate the region's economy and ease pressure on the heavily industrialised and polluted Eastern Seaboard.

The development would focus on the coastline of the Gulf of Thailand from Chumphon to Nakhon Si Thammarat, with a deep-sea port, rail links, industrial estates and upgraded power and water utilities.

Authorities want to have an iron and steel industrial estate as the centrepiece of the project, along with other estates for rubber, palm, automotive and petrochemical industries.

''The project's infrastructure will be designed to serve the particular needs of each of our target industries. Details may take quite a long time to work out before construction starts ... because we don't want to repeat the problems seen at Map Ta Phut,'' Mr Kosit said, referring the the large industrial estate in Rayong.

Nippon Steel already operates a cold-rolled steel plant in Rayong through The Siam United Steel (1995) Co, with annual capacity of one million tonnes.

Thailand currently consumes 12.5 million tonnes a year of steel, of which 4.5 million tonnes are imported high grade steel.

Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/17Nov2007_biz23.php

GWR

18-11-07, 07:25 PM

I see absolutely no evidence that the IMT-GT has ever acheived anything concrete for the local economy. It seems to be little more than an excuse for an annual cross-border beanfeast:

Six more southern provinces added in IMT-GT
Leaders of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) would endorse on Monday additional six southern provinces of Thailand into its joint development scheme.

The six provinces are Phuket, Pang Nga, Krabi, Surat Thani, Ranong and Chumphon, said an official at the Thai foreign ministry.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont would sit together with Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi and Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in the third IMT-GT summit here on the side line of Asean summit.

The leaders' endorsement of six additional province would make all 14 provinces in Thailand south were included into the development scheme while Malaysia and Indonesia maintained their eight and ten cities respectively in the IMT-GT.

Established since 1993, the IMT-GT aimed to jointly develop six sectors comprising trade and investment; tourism; Halal goods and service; human resource development; agriculture, fishery and environment; and infrastructure.

The current development projects under the IMT-GT five year road map 2007-2011 outlined by the Asian Development Bank were being implemented after the leaders' approval since a previous summit in the Philippines's Cebu in January this year.

Thailand hopes the development scheme would help uplift living standard in the south, notably the three predominantly Muslim provinces where have been rocked by a spate of violence for long time.

Under the roadmap, the three leaders would also endorse a plan to set up Center for IMT-GT (CIMT) sub-regional coordination in Malaysia to coordinate plan and activities from the member countries as well as from private-sector run Joint Business Council.

Thailand would push ahead IMT-GT economic corridor making more connectivity between southern province of Ranong and Phuket with Indonesia's Aceh, the official at the foreign ministry said.

Thailand and Malaysia share the same boundary and already have many connecting points. A new bridge across Kolok river in Nathiwat's Waeng district and Malaysia's northern Kelantan state would be opened soon.

To boost more tourism activities in the IMT-GT area, the Joint Business Council would launch Visit IMT-GT year 2008 next year. Official launching of the program would be held in Hat Yai between January 11-20. Thailand would organize at least 42 events for the whole year.

As a coordinator for Halal goods and service development sector, Thailand held the first International Halal Expo in conjunction with Maolid Nabi festival in Krabi in February this year. In parallel with the event, there was a seminar to increase cooperation on Halal laboratory network to expand goods and service from the three countries into the $ 200 billion global haral market.

On trade and investment sector, the three countries would set up IMT-GT plaza in Thailand's Phattalung Province, Malaysia's Port Dickson and Indonesia's Riau.

Supalak G Khundee

The Nation, Singapore

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/11/18/regional/regional_30056536.php

GWR

01-02-08, 10:34 PM

BLAST FURNACES
Four steel giants seek BoI breaks
Southern Seaboard the likely site
Published on February 2, 2008

Four world-class steelmakers - ArcelorMittal, Japan's Nippon Steel and JFE Steel and China's Baosteel - have expressed interest in tapping the Board of Investment's tax incentives for their upstream blast furnaces.

According to BoI secretary-general Satit Charnjavanakul, all four have submitted letters of interest to the state agency, which were open for submission through this past Thursday.

ArcelorMittal is the world's largest steelmaker on the Fortune Global 500 list, followed by Nippon Steel, JFE Steel, South Korea's Posco Steel and Baosteel.

The furnaces are expected to require an investment of over Bt100 billion each.

Satit said yesterday that the BoI had not yet drafted the details of investment privileges for interested steelmakers.

The process now involves the four collaborating with the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) and the BoI to find appropriate locations for their steel plants.

Each plant will require an area of 5,000 to 10,000 rai for a minimum production capacity of 2 million tonnes of premium-grade upstream steel per year. While saying that it would take around six to 12 months to search for appropriate locations, Satit noted that the Eastern seaboard could be too crowded for such giant new investment projects. He added that the projects were likely to be located on the Southern Seaboard.

The Surayud government did not get round to fully defining where the Southern seaboard would be. According to former industry minister Kosit Panpiemras, the next government should continue with the Southern seaboard project, or heavy industries - including the upstream steel plants - would not have an area to set up their plants.

During the Surayud government, the NESDB was ordered to study potential areas for the Southern seaboard. The survey covered a number of provinces in the South from Chumphon to Songkhla.

"We decided to keep those areas on the Andaman coast for tourism purposes. However, this can be changed if the new government does not agree," he said.

According to Satit, the new steel plants will be required to use advanced production technology in order to prevent environmental destruction and create harmony with communities. He said Sahaviriya Steel had also expressed interest to the BoI in an upstream steel blast furnace. However, its project was not approved because it did not meet the BoI's conditions.

"Sahaviriya can continue with its project, but it will not receive any incentives from us," he said.

At present, domestic steel demand is estimated at 12.5 million to 13 million tonnes per annum. While 4.5 million tonnes are of premium grade for the automobile, electric and canned-food sectors, the rest is for construction purposes.

Satit is confident that following the election, more investment will flow into Thailand. The BoI expects total applications for its investment incentives this year will be at least Bt500 million.

Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul
The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/02/02/business/business_30064199.php

GWR

23-02-08, 09:02 PM

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/02/02/business/business_30064199.php

Southern Seaboard progress seen

Environment will be the priority, says Suvit

YUTHANA PRAIWAN

A site for the Southern Seaboard industrial development is expected to be selected within this year, Industry Minister Suvit Khunkitti said yesterday.

The National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) is currently doing a feasibility study for the project, with initial financial support from the Asian Development Bank on its study.

Kosit Panpiemras, the industry minister in the previous government, last year reviewed some potential locations including Sichon in Nakhon Si Thammarat on the Gulf of Thailand, and Phangnga province on the Andaman coast.

Once the NESDB finishes its study and authorities improve environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports, the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) will start the site development.

Successive governments for 20 years have been discussing the development of a major industrial area in the South to take the pressure off the heavily industrialised Eastern Seaboard. The need has become more urgent in the past two years as pollution worsens in the eastern provinces that are home to many large automobile, oil and chemical industries.

The facilities and infrastructure at the new site would be similar to those in the Eastern Seaboard, according to Mr Suvit.

''We are roughly looking for basic facilities such as a deep-sea port, gas separation plant, power plant, raw water reservoir and related facilities,'' he said.

Potential industries for new site include high-grade steel and furnace operations, petrochemicals and energy ventures.

The EIA will be a major concern for the project. As well, individual projects proposed for the site will require EIA approval before they can seek Board of Investment (BoI) privileges.

''We are considering the environmental issue as the first priority as we have learned from experience from Map Ta Phut industrial estate,'' said Mr Suvit. ''We will put the maximum effort into preventing any environmental impact on the communities nearby.''

Discussing his policy focus for the year, Mr Suvit said the ministry wanted to promote the software, jewellery, and renewable energy industries, all of which have potential to add value to Thai's resources.

''We have low capability [in labour-intensive industries] behind newly developing countries like China, Vietnam and Cambodia, in particular our production costs,'' he said.

He said the government would support human resources development for the targeted industries and the BoI would offer tax breaks for jewellery and renewable energy ventures.

Satit Chanjavanakul, the BoI secretary-general, said that the emerging industries could draw the attention of new investors to Thailand, following the established sectors such as automotive, petrochemicals, agribusiness, electronics and steel.

The BoI plans roadshows to Japan and Germany next month to promote investment in Thailand.

Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/23Feb2008_biz28.php

GWR

23-03-08, 11:45 PM

Dated report, but I have included it here partly because it makes it plain that any 'landbridge' rail route from this port would connect with a NEW Songkhla Port in CHANA District. That would mean the construction of only a fairly short spurline to the Chana port, as a mainline already runs through the district:

Plans for deep seaport in Satun

By Andaman Times Editor

The Thai government has been asked to construct a new deep seaport in the west coast of southern Thailand in Pak Bara, Langu district in Satun, to serve marine transport from the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, said Thanit Soraj, a Federation of Thai Industries vice-president.

The new seaport project was initiated during the Thaksin Shinawatra administration but was put on hold after the government was ousted in last year’s coup.

Thanit said the seaport at Pak Bara would give impetus to an ambitious plan for a southern seaboard development similar to the Eastern Seaboard development project. The seaport at Pak Bara could be connected by means of a landbridge with Chana seaport in Songkhla. The port is expected to stimulate the south’s economy, which could help reduce violence in the three southernmost provinces.

Thanit said industries in the Eastern Seaboard area would be overcrowded in the next six years, so it is necessary to find another location for the new industries.

The seaport at Pak Bara requires investment of US$75.38 million and would be capable of handling 2.4 million TEUs per year. The port will be 15m deep with a berth width of 750m to accommodate large vessels.

Once the seaport is completed, cargo shipments from the southern provinces, especially rubber, would not need to use Penang’s seaport in Malaysia.

Source: Cargonewsasia

Posted at : July 25th, 2007 - 12:26 am
http://www.andamantimes.com/index.php/2007/07/25/plans-for-deep-seaport-in-satun/

GWR

19-05-08, 10:27 PM

As Featured Frontpage This Evening:
http://www.2bangkok.com

DP World eyes Thai port
Monday 19 May 2008

DP WORLD is considering a Baht2.6bn ($80m) deep sea port project in the south of the country, according to Thai government officials, writes Marcus Hand.

The transport ministry is to propose to the cabinet the building of Pak Bara port in Satun, a project that has been on the drawing board for years.

“If the cabinet approves the port, the n .....

The rest of this article is only available to Lloyd’s List Online subscribers.
http://lloydslist.com/ll/news/dp-world-eyes-thai-port/1210898395508.htm

DP World acquired P & O in 2006. A significant player by the looks of things:

History

DP World was formed in September 2005 with the integration of the terminal operations of the Dubai Ports Authority (DPA), which was focused on the UAE ports of Rashid and Jebel Ali, and DPI (Dubai Ports International) which had been set up to export this success internationally.

When it was first established in 1999, DPI had initially applied its expertise to managing ports in the Middle East, India and Europe. Its first project was at Jeddah Islamic Port (in 1999), where it collaborated with its local partner on the management and operation of the South Container Terminal (SCT). In 2003, SCT was the first terminal in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to exceed 1 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent container units) and volumes in 2004 exceeded 1.3 million TEU. DPI then went on to develop successful operations at the ports of Djibouti (2000), Vizag, India (2002) and Constanta, Romania (2003).

In January 2005, DPI transformed its network with the strategic acquisition of CSX World Terminals (CSX WT), the international terminal business of CSX Corporation. This acquisition gave the company a strong presence in Asia with major operations in Hong Kong and China as well as operations in Australia, Germany, Dominican Republic and Venezuela. Importantly for the future development and expansion of its network, DP World also acquired CSX WT’s strong project pipeline, which included the 9-berth Pusan Newport (PNC), South Korea, where DP World holds the management contract as well a significant equity interest, and other projects in the rapidly expanding markets of India and the Middle East.

In February 2005 DP World signed an agreement with the Cochin Port Trust (CoPT) to construct, develop and operate an international container transhipment terminal at Vallarpadam, Kochi, India. It is the largest single operator container terminal currently planned in India and the first in the country to operate in a special economic zone. The new terminal will make Kochi a key centre in the shipping world reducing India’s dependence on foreign ports to handle transshipment.

In March 2005, DP World was awarded a 30 year concession to develop and operate the container terminal at the Port of Fujairah, in the UAE. This was followed in July 2005 by the awarding of a management contract for Mina Zayed Port, Abu Dhabi. These concessions will enable DP World to streamline operations at the major container facilities of the UAE and further increase the choices available to our customers.

In November 2005 we also announced agreements to develop new container terminals at Yarimca, Turkey and Qingdao, China.

DP World also has interests in logistics businesses in Hong Kong and China, notably ATL, the market leading logistics operator based at Kwai Chung, Hong Kong.

We took another giant leap forward with the acquisition of P&O in March 2006, expanding our portfolio of terminals and adding P&O Ferries, P&O Estates and P&O Maritime Services to the group. The combined container throughput of both companies for 2005 was more than 35 million TEU across terminals from the Americas to Asia. This grew to nearly 42 million TEU in 2006. The acquisition also brought with it an exciting pipeline of projects that will continue our future expansion, independent of acquisitions, across key markets globally. Capacity will rise to around 90 million TEU by 2017.

http://portal.pohub.com/portal/page?_pageid=761,248333&_dad=pogprtl&_schema=POGPRTL

DP World's Website doesn't appear to contain any info on the Langu Port Project just yet:
http://portal.pohub.com/portal/page?_pageid=761,1&_dad=pogprtl&_schema=POGPRTL

GWR

20-05-08, 10:24 PM

As Featured Frontpage This Evening:
http://www.2bangkok.com
http://lloydslist.com/ll/news/dp-world-eyes-thai-port/1210898395508.htm
DP World acquired P & O in 2006. A significant player by the looks of things:
http://portal.pohub.com/portal/page?_pageid=761,248333&_dad=pogprtl&_schema=POGPRTL
DP World's Website doesn't appear to contain any info on the Langu Port Project just yet:
http://portal.pohub.com/portal/page?_pageid=761,1&_dad=pogprtl&_schema=POGPRTL

Watcharapong strikes again! Somebody please tell this reporter that it's Dubai Port World/ DP World. He obviously hasn't yet figured out that the internet can be searched! Watcharapong seems to constantly bark up the wrong tree on transport issues:

Southern study approved
By Watcharapong Thongrung
The Nation
Published on May 21, 2008
Dubai World keen on huge infrastructure spending

The Cabinet yesterday endorsed a Transport Ministry proposal to conduct a joint feasibility study with Dubai World into the development of a logistics network in southern Thailand.

Dubai World chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem will meet with Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Saturday after giving a speech at the Thaicom Foundation.

Despite the joint study, Dubai World will be afforded no special privileges if the government opens bids for the land-bridge project, Deputy Government Spokesman Natthawut Saikua said. The study, which will take a year to complete, will cover both old and new routes.

Transport Inspector-General Maitree Srinarawat had said earlier when director-general of the Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning Office that Dubai World would shoulder all of the costs of the feasibility study, a gesture that showed its seriousness in investing in Thailand. Dubai World's commitment is indicated by the sending of its second-highest-ranking executive to Thailand to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) upon Cabinet approval.

"Thailand will come closer to its goal of becoming a regional trade and investment hub with the presence of Dubai World," he said.

The Transport Ministry has asked for Cabinet approval to sign the MoU between the office and the Dubai-based company. Maitree said Cabinet approval was necessary given that this was a joint private-public study on a project that would have a significant effect on trade and investment. He said Dubai World was attracted to this project due to Thailand's geographical link with China. Moreover, investment in Thailand would complement its business in Dubai.

The study will investigate the viability of the development of the long-delayed land bridge. To link the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Coast, the bridge would involve the development of a deep-sea port at Pakbara in Satun province and the development of an industrial zone along the land bridge. The seaport, with a potential to cater to ships of 70,000 tonnes, would be a gateway to Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Dubai World businesses cover transport and logistics, free zones, property development, maritime services, commodities, aviation, financial services, hospitality and leisure, healthcare and retail operations.

A ministry source said Dubai World wanted the land-bridge project to take shape as soon as possible. With oil prices remaining at high levels, Dubai would have an advantage over others if it had the facilities to release more oil to the Far East.

"In the event Thailand faces investment constraints, Dubai World is ready to shoulder all of the investment costs, be they for the refinery, an oil depot, a power plant, a port or related businesses," the source said.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/05/21/headlines/headlines_30073562.php

GWR

22-05-08, 10:40 PM

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b0/Dubaiworld_logo.png/100px-Dubaiworld_logo.png

I take back that rather ratty comment about Watcharapong, in the last post, back - although I suppose it is a pity he didn't explain the connection between the two before. It appears that DP World is managed by Dubai World. Wichit doesn't mention it in this report either, but I've also added a Wikipedia entry further down which makes the relationship clearer:

LOGISTICS NETWORK
Dubai group signs southern MOU
By Wichit Chaitrong
The Nation
Published on May 23, 2008

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, the visiting chairman of the Dubai World group, expressed confidence that the proposed logistics network and land-bridge project in southern Thailand would be successful.

Dubai World signed a memorandum of understanding with the Thai government yesterday to conduct a feasibility study on the mega-infrastructure scheme.

The sultan said the project has a good chance of success because it will connect the Middle East, India and other Asian subcontinent economies with those in the Far East, especially China, Japan, Korea, and land-locked countries via a shorter transport route.

The Thai Cabinet granted approval for the feasibility study, which includes the land bridge linking the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea and a deep-sea port at Pakbara in the southern province of Satun. An industrial zone will also be built in the land-bridge area.

The port will have the capacity to serve ocean-going vessels, opening a new gateway from North and Northeast Asia to Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Transport Minister Santi Prompat said that Dubai World would shoulder the entire Bt200 million cost of the one-year feasibility study and with no binding conditions.

"The study results will be disclosed publicly and interested parties worldwide can join the bidding," he added.

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem said the project should benefit Thailand and other parties concerned since a large number of jobs will be created, especially in southern Thailand, where there has been unrest for years.

The sultan believed that economic prosperity could help solve the problem in southern Thailand since poverty often breeds unrest and terrorism.

In the case of Dubai, a small sultanate in the United Arab Emirates, economic prosperity has proved to be a key driver of social stability, even though Dubai itself has no oil reserves.

Dubai has prospered as a service centre for the oil-rich Middle East, while the state-owned Dubai World is currently in transport and logistics, property development, maritime transport, commodities, financial services and other businesses.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/05/23/headlines/headlines_30073760.php

Dubai World is an investment company that manages and supervises a portfolio of businesses and projects for the Dubai Government across a wide range of industry segments and projects that promote Dubai as a hub for commerce and trading. It is chaired by Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.

Dubai World was established under a decree ratified on March 2, 2006 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President & Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

On July 2, 2006 it was launched as a holding company with more than 50,000 employees in over 100 cities around the globe. The companies managed by Dubai World include DP World, the third largest port operator in the world, Jafza, Nakheel (known for residential estate development projects such as The World), Dubai Drydocks, Dubai Maritime City, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, Istithmar, Kerzner, One & Only, Atlantis, Island Global Yachting, Limitless, Inchcape Shipping Services, Tejari, TechnoPark and Tamweel.

The group has extensive real estate investments in the US, the UK and South Africa.

Dubai World made headlines in March 2008 after its chairman, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, threatened to take the fund's money out of Europe if the European Union tried to regulate his activities. As mentioned, Dubai World's threats came shortly after the EU attempted to lay out "a set of principles for transparency, predictability and accountability" for Sovereign Wealth Funds.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai_World

GWR

23-05-08, 08:25 PM

Land bridge key to restoring peace in restive South

BANGKOK, May 23 (TNA) – The land bridge project is considered a key to restoring peace in Thailand's three southernmost border provinces, according to Dubai World chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.

United Arab Emirates-based Dubai World has offered grant assistance for a feasibility study regarding development of a logistics network and the land bridge project in Thailand.

He expressed confidence that the proposed land bridge project under which deep-sea ports as well as communication and transport networks would be built to link the Andaman seacoast and the Gulf of Thailand in order to help create jobs in southern Thailand.

In particular, the violence-plagued three southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat would benefit directly from rising employment and economic development.

The sultan said he believed it would help reduce the continuing violence in the Muslim-majority South.

"In the past, our company had experiences in developing projects in many conflict-impacted areas. We found that local residents are not easily lured to violence if they have jobs and enjoy higher incomes.

"In our view, building economic stability is a key to creating political stability," he said.

The Dubai World executive stated the land bridge project would also help link the communication and transport networks between Western Asia and East Asia where key economies including China, Japan, and South Korea are located.

He said 90 per cent of all products placed for sale in the world now are now produced in China.

Should the project be successfully implemented in Thailand, it could serve as a convenient transport route for products to be shipped to key markets in West Asia, including India and Middle East countries.

At present, such products must be shipped through the Straits of Malacca, which is time consuming, he said.

The cabinet on Tuesday approved the Transport Ministry's signing of a memorandum of understanding on allowing Dubai World to study a feasibility of building the land bridge project.

Deputy Government Spokesman Nattavuth Sai-kua said the company submitted a written intention with the ministry on November 15, 2007 to offer grant assistance for a study of a proper approach to developing ports in the Andaman seacoast and a bridge to link them with ports in the Gulf of Thailand or known as the land bridge project.

Under the plan, the company would invest in all aspects to study the potential of the project and the feasibility of investment.

On completion of the study, the government could use the findings to inform other potential construction players without having to consult with Dubai World.

Thailand could proceed with a plan to open bids on the project without any conditions set by the firm, he said.

Whether the company would decide to invest in the project depends on its study on details of investment budget, port management, location, and economic benefits it would get. (TNA)-E005
Business News : Last Update : 14:01:33 23 May 2008 (GMT+7:00)
http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=4405

GWR

25-05-08, 11:22 PM

Plan to revitalise southern seaboards long overdue
By MR Pridiyathorn Devakula
Published on May 26, 2008

Ministers attending a Cabinet meeting this past Tuesday agreed to set up a committee to mobilise investment along the southern seaboards - both on the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand sides - which is a crucial step for the country's further development.

This initiative will not only help open the area up for big investment projects, but also involves the construction of deep seaports, which is the type of infrastructure that major industries require and could lead to development similar to that of the Eastern Seaboard over the past 20 years.

The mobilisation of investment in these areas would naturally include industries already operating in the South such as iron and steel, seafood, tourist industries etc. More importantly, this is also a good opportunity to open an industrial site for large and medium-sized industries that will be, in the not too distant future, banned from the Eastern Seaboard, once that area reaches its saturation point in terms of allowable levels of pollution.

The ideal location for the new industrial site depends on where the deep seaports are located and the route taken to transport oil and other merchandise between the two seaports. Currently the possibility of constructing a land bridge connecting the two seaports is being discussed. This idea was first put forward by the National Economic and Social Development Board during the administration of former prime minister Chartchai Choonhavan. This would consist of a deep seaport on the Andaman Sea side, a deep seaport on the Gulf side, an industrial estate in the area adjacent to the deep seaport on the Gulf side, and a transport link between the two seaports, comprising road, railway and oil pipeline.

The deep seaport on the Andaman Sea side would receive crude oil from tankers from the Middle East. Crude oil would be sent through the pipeline to an oil refinery to be established in the industrial site on the Gulf side. Refined oil, besides serving domestic demand, could also be exported to oil-importing countries like Japan and Korea and eastern cities in China. The by-products could serve as good raw material for upstream petrochemical companies, which would attract many more midstream and downstream industries.

Aside from being an ideal location for oil refineries, the industrial site attached to the deep seaport on the Gulf side would also be a good location for big and mid-sized industries unable to find space on the Eastern Seaboard. I have learned that there is a very big plot of land, tens of thousands of rai in size, that belongs to a certain government agency and has been left vacant. If the land can be leased on a long-term basis for industrial estate use, the landowner could earn a sizeable income and industrial development in the South could get started for the benefit of the country.

The land-bridge concept would also enable the Andaman seaport to host the import and export of merchandise to and from Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The seaport could also act as a gateway for landlocked countries within the Greater Mekong Subregion if we were able to link our transportation networks with those in the region.

What I have written so far is not unrealistic. Should the plan be implemented carefully, it would benefit the country a great deal. We definitely need a new industrial site for big projects. We would gain a lot from additional refineries: refining margins and export income as well as a by-product for petrochemical industries. The Andaman seaport would reduce logistical costs for our exports as well as imports to and from Western destinations. With strong determination, the plan is achievable. I am glad that the Cabinet has set up this committee to mobilise investment along the southern seaboards with the prime minister as the chairman of the committee. Appointing a person with such a high position as chairman shows a strong commitment to the project.

When pushing for the development of the Eastern Seaboard, the government also established a powerful committee to oversee its development with the prime minister at that time acting as chairman of the committee. Being prime minister, the chairman naturally attracts cooperation and commitment from various concerned ministries as well as from the private sector, which has contributed to the successful industrial development of the Eastern Seaboard for over 20 years. I hope that this new committee set up to mobilise investment along the Southern Seaboard will get the ball rolling soon and become a focal point in activating the long-awaited development of the area.

"How long will this government last?" is beyond my imagination. I simply hope that it will be in power long enough to help bring the land bridge project to the point at which it would be very difficult to reverse, and that it secures enough of a commitment from the bureaucrats involved.

First of all, it is necessary to identify the exact site for both deep seaports, together with the site for the industrial estate. On the Andaman Sea side, many choices are available: Pakbala in Satun, Krabi, Phang Nga, Ranong or even Puck Tian in Burma. On the Gulf of Thailand seashore, possible sites include Sichon or Khanom in Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani or even at Prachuap Khiri Khan. There are pros and cons for each site.

I do not have enough information to indicate which one is best. Information on each of the site is available at concerned government offices, including numerous studies. With this readily available information on various sites, the committee could choose the proper site without too much difficulty. No single site would be perfect in all respects. But if we do not make any choice, industrial development cannot proceed further. Time is of the essence.

The site must be chosen impartially, without being intended for personal benefit or to enrich cronies. Much more has to be done. Most importantly, it is impossible to move forward until the sites are determined. I would urge the committee to get the ball rolling as soon as possible in order to make this long-awaited plan irreversible.

Until next Monday!

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/05/26/opinion/opinion_30073953.php

GWR

25-05-08, 11:31 PM

See also Today's previous post on this topic

http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=4405

EDITORIALS
Money alone can't solve south's woes
By The Nation
Published on May 26, 2008

Resentment towards the Thai state in the region won't be swept away by a better economy alone

After years of tossing and turning with the idea, a step in the right direction has finally been taken. A memorandum of understanding was signed last week in which the United Arab Emirates-based Dubai World agreed to carry out a feasibility study for a land-bridge project that would link the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand. Dubai World has offered to conduct this feasibility study for free. Moreover, the company is not asking for special privileges in future projects stemming from the study, which will be made public upon completion.

From a bird's eye view, the land-bridge project would help link communication and transport networks in the Middle East and West Asia with those in East Asia, where key economies including China, Japan, and South Korea are located.

Indeed, a great deal of time and money could be saved by eliminating the need to travel a greater distance through the Malacca Straits. But while the feasibility study and the benefits to follow should be welcomed, it doesn't help anybody to call this anything other than what it is - sound investment planning and nothing more.

Dubai World chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem told reporters that his project and future investments could help reduce the ongoing violence in the Malay-speaking South where more than 3,000 people have been killed since January 2004.

Sulayem said the violence-plagued three southernmost provinces of Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat would benefit directly from rising employment and economic development.

"In the past, our company had experience in developing projects in many conflict-impacted areas. We found that local residents are not easily lured to violence if they have jobs and enjoy higher incomes.

"In our view, building economic stability is a key to creating political stability," he said.

No one knows who brewed Sulayem's tea but he should have known better than to think that there is such a thing as a cure-all for such a complex problem.

A quick glance over the past four years should be enough to tell Sulayem that the violence in the deep South is much more than just an expression of dissatisfaction over poverty and unemployment.

The vast majority of those in the deep South want nothing more than to go on with their lives, secure a good job and raise a family. But then again, most of these people share the same grievances towards the Thai state as the armed militants in the region.

In the 1980s, following the surrender of armed separatists who put down their arms in return for amnesty, the government started to pour a great deal of money into the region, thinking that this would help erase the historical mistrust and resentment that Malays have towards the Thai state.

Obviously, it didn't work. Just a decade later, a new generation of separatists surfaced, employing brutal methods such as beheading, torching their victims, and burning down public schools.

The fact that very few have come out against the insurgents says something about the attitude of the local community towards the state. They might not like the violence, but they don't seem to hate it enough to come forward and assist Thai authorities with their investigations.

Thai people can go on and on blaming locals in the deep South for their lack of cooperation. But in the final analysis, this is a problem of Thailand's legitimacy in the Muslim-majority region, and after more than 100 years of living under the direct rule of the Thai state, legitimacy remains an issue. We need to think outside the box and ask why this is so.

Sulayem may have goods intention towards the people of the South with his grand plan. But for a man who claims to have experience dealing with conflict areas, he should know that good intentions are not good policy.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/05/26/opinion/opinion_30073948.php

GWR

27-05-08, 10:06 PM

http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=4405

SOUTH MEGA PROJECT
Dubai world may invest Bt1 trillion
By Watcharapong Thongrung
The Nation
Published on May 28, 2008
Oil hub could rival Singapore

Dubai World could possibly end up investing at least Bt1 trillion in Thailand, starting with a world-scale oil refinery, PTT president Prasert Bunsumpun said yesterday.

"If Thailand can issue the regulations implemented in Singapore to create a free-trade zone where crude oil could be imported and re-exported without duties, Dubai World's investment here could rise to Bt1 trillion. This would also make Thailand a regional oil trading hub, turning the Kingdom into a major rival of Singapore," Prasert said.

Referring to the United Arab Emirates' state enterprise's Bt200 million feasibility study for the southern Land Bridge project, Prasert said Dubai World has the resources to build a refinery worth US$20 billion (Bt647 billion) to $30 billion with a capacity of 1 million barrels a day.

The refinery then would draw follow-up investment in petrochemical plants.

The land bridge would run from Pak Bara in Satun to an unidentified destination.

PTT had carried out a rough study on a refining and petrochemical complex in the South, but backed away due to the high investment required, he said.

But Dubai World would not be put off by the cost, he said. Having made its presence felt in Thailand, it could open the door to selling refined petroleum products to other Asian markets like China, Japan and South Korea.

"The presence in Thailand would give it an advantage, as Dubai World would not need to use the Strait of Malacca for oil shipment," he said.

The strait separates the Malay Peninsula on the northeast from the island of Sumatra on the southwest, and connects to the Andaman Sea, a part of the Indian Ocean, on the north, with the South China Sea on the south.

Dubai World has not approached PTT for any joint investment, he said.

"If such an offer comes, we would still need to consider it thoroughly due to the huge sums involved," he said.

Dubai World would not pose a threat to PTT Group, as it would clearly concentrate on exports, not the domestic market, he said.

"If this project takes shape, it will benefit Thailand in terms of foreign direct investment. However, to make it happen, regulations are required to facilitate the investment," he added.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/05/28/business/business_30074142.php

GWR

16-06-08, 10:11 PM

See 9 previous posts

BRAZILIAN OIL GIANT
Petrobras keen to invest in Kingdom
By The Nation
Published on June 17, 2008
Land Bridge project of particular interest to firm

Brazil's Petrobras has expressed interest in investing in Thailand, particularly in the South's Land Bridge project, Energy Minister Poonpirom Liptapanlop said yesterday.

"The project will reduce the time to ship oil and other cargo to Asia by a week," she said of a project that will allow vessels to bypass the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.

"Petrobras' delegation will be in Thailand for further discussion with the Energy Ministry and PTT."

Thailand is now conducting a feasibility study on the Land Bridge, with funding from Dubai World.

Poonpirom has just returned from Brazil after holding a discussion with Petrobras.

The company is present in 27 countries and last year was ranked the world's seventh-largest oil company according to Petroleum Intelligence Weekly, which tracks the 50 biggest and most important oil companies.

In the first quarter, it posted a net profit of 6.92 billion reais (Bt142 billion).

Meanwhile, Poonpirom said the Energy Ministry would study the maximum ethanol mixture suitable for Thai vehicles, before plotting a long-term development plan to reduce energy bills.

Poonpirom said the study would cover petrol with different levels of ethanol, from 10, 20, 85 or 100 per cent, to find out the pros and cons of each mixing level.

She said E100, which is pure ethanol, could benefit the country, as no petrol was needed.

However, to offer E100 requires cooperation from related agencies and incentives for the manufacturing of flexible-fuel vehicles that can run on E100.

She said Brazil, which uses E100, took more than 30 years to achieve the goal and that this required continuation in government policies.

"As an agricultural country, we can push for 100-per-cent ethanol. We may not need to take as long as 30 years as Brazil, as we can learn from its experiences," she said.

On the call by lorry operators for cheaper diesel, she said the ministry had not yet received the request.

She said affected operators could approach the ministry directly for an allocation from 122 million litres of cheap diesel.

So far, 30 million litres have been allocated to the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority and private bus operators in Bangkok.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/06/17/business/business_30075736.php

GWR

04-08-08, 10:14 AM

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/05/28/business/business_30074142.php

Dubai Raring to go on land bridge
By Watcharapong Thongrung
The Nation
Published on August 4, 2008

The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) will issue terms of reference (ToR) next month to choose a consulting firm for the feasibility study of Dubai World's investment in the transpeninsular land-bridge project.

A source at the OTP, |which operates under the Transport Ministry, said Dubai World and the OTP would |jointly select a consultant.

Despite political uncertainty, Dubai World is still keen to invest, the source said.

The OTP and Dubai World signed a memorandum of understanding in May guaranteeing the latter's readiness to invest in the scheme, which involves ports on the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand and links between them.

The source said Dubai World wanted it to take shape as soon as possible and would shoulder all of the investment cost, including Bt200 million for the year-long feasibility study.

Dubai World's area of investment covers transport and logistics, free zones, property development and commodities.

The OTP will forward the study to the Cabinet for approval of open bidding.

Dubai World is also looking to invest in a refinery, oil depot, power plant and port in Thailand to give it an advantage in the regional oil trade.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/08/04/business/business_30079638.php