Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, in his capacity as chairman of the Land Bridge project study committee, is preparing to propose that the government discontinue the project in its original form. This follows study results showing that the project's net present value, or NPV, has dropped from a positive 637.713 billion baht to a negative 10.287 billion baht, reflecting high sensitivity to the slowing global economy and shifting maritime cargo volumes. In addition, inquiries with major global shipping lines found that nine out of ten have already invested in or partnered with similar projects abroad, increasing the risk that vessel and cargo volumes will fall below projections. The committee also pointed to impacts on the Ranong Biosphere Reserve and large mangrove forests. However, the proposal to end the project in its original form does not mean canceling infrastructure development in the south. It recommends studying the enhancement of the existing Ranong port, along with developing missing rail links to connect freight transport from China and eastern seaboard ports. This is assessed as more aligned with private sector needs and more cost-effective, without creating risks from a massive investment on the scale of trillions of baht.