NIDA Poll Finds Broad Southern Support for Land Bridge, but Questions Remain

A NIDA Poll released on May 4 found 67.22% support for the Land Bridge project among people surveyed across 14 southern provinces, including Phuket. The survey showed most respondents had heard of the project but did not yet understand it in depth, pointing to support for the plan alongside a need for clearer public communication.

The poll was conducted from April 28-30 among 1,455 people aged 18 and over who are eligible voters in the South. NIDA Poll said the sample was drawn across education, occupation and income levels.

Survey covered 14 southern provinces

The survey area included Chumphon, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung, Surat Thani, Songkhla, Krabi, Trang, Phang Nga, Phuket, Ranong, Satun, Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala.

NIDA said the provincial scope followed the 2017 announcement by the Committee on Integrated Provincial and Group Administration Policy on the establishment of provincial groups and designation of operating centers.

Among respondents who said they had at least some awareness of the project, the subgroup totaled 1,333 people. That group included those who said they understood the proposal very well, understood it somewhat, or had heard of it but understood only a little.

Environmental and community impacts led concerns

The main concerns raised by informed respondents centered on environmental effects and disruption to community ways of life. The findings indicated that even among those backing the project, those issues remained the clearest points of hesitation.

NIDA also asked that same 1,333-person subgroup for its views on the Land Bridge project itself. The results reflected a broader pattern of support for development, while showing respondents still wanted more detail about how the project would proceed.

Source: https://www.prachachat.net/general/news-2001383