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The development of Thailand's ambitious land bridge has the potential to trigger a significant economic spillover into Northern Malaysia, particularly for Perlis, Kedah, and Penang
Global Asia Consulting senior consultant Samirul Ariff Othman said the project does not pose a major threat to the Strait of Malacca in the short term.
Instead, the three states are expected to emerge as primary beneficiaries by integrating with regional logistics corridors, including key infrastructure such as the Perlis Inland Port.
Samirul Ariff noted that while the impact might be limited initially, the project could become a strategic challenger within five to 10 years
"In the mid- to long-term, the project is seen as a potential strategic challenger as it is able to reduce travel time by about four days," he said to Berita Harian.
He added that the corridor could save logistics costs between 10% and 15%, potentially affecting traffic at Port Klang and the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP).
The Thai government aims to link the Indian and Pacific Oceans to allow ships to bypass the increasingly congested Strait of Malacca
This plan involves constructing two new seaports connected by a network of highways and railways to facilitate the seamless movement of goods.
While some critics questioned the project's economic viability, several international firms, such as DP World, have already expressed interest in the upcoming tender.
