CHUMPHON, THAILAND – Groups of citizen scientists and researchers have been documenting the biodiversity along the controversial land bridge project site in southern Thailand, aiming to provide scientific evidence of the area’s valuable ecosystems – which they urge policymakers to take into account.
Deep in the heart of Chumphon’s Patho district, where the little-known Lam Huai Phra stream winds through a dense canopy of evergreen forest, first-year biology student and avid birdwatcher Muangpai Suetrong carefully collected samples of organisms in the water.
He gently poured the clear liquid into small glass bottles, each destined for testing – analyzing not only the tiny organisms thriving in it, but also the water quality.
“Chumphon and Ranong [provinces] host species found nowhere else,” said Muangpai, while resting next to the stream. He referred to the recent discovery of the Kra Isthmus pit viper (Trimeresurus kraensis), a newly identified species endemic to the region.
Muangpai joined a small expedition with locals to survey biodiversity and assess the environmental quality of the area, relying on simple tools like magnifying glasses and water testing kits.
The group, named the Rak Patho Network, is made up of ordinary residents who have turned into citizen scientists, with the aim of documenting the biodiversity in their home province – which the Thai government targeted for the controversial 1.1-trillion-baht land bridge project.
The project is a 90-kilometer corridor designed to connect Thailand’s eastern coast on the Gulf of Thailand with its western coast on the Andaman Sea. It includes the construction of deep-sea ports on both coasts, linked by a dual-track railway and a motorway.
Its primary aim is to create a shortcut for maritime transportation between countries in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, offering an alternative to the heavily congested Strait of Malacca, which now serves as the main passage for cargo ships traveling between these regions.
The project has raised concerns about its environmental impact, particularly on biodiversity, the displacement of communities and feasibility issues.
“Mapping biodiversity shows us what exists in our area and why we shouldn’t destroy it,” said Thanet Tubtimthong, a communications officer for the Rak Patho Network, while surveying the stream.
“If we can identify endemic species tied to this area, it will demonstrate the need for further conservation.”
Collective observations
Thanet, along with other group members, has used digital platforms like Facebook and YouTube to share their activities and information relating to local biodiversity.
They launched the “TH-Landbridge BioBlitz” project to encourage citizen scientists to record and map the area’s biodiversity value on iNaturalist, a global platform that provides tools for users to collectively identify species of plants, animals, fungi and other organisms.
To date, 735 species have been documented within the proposed land bridge project area, spanning the border between Chumphon and Ranong provinces. These include species such as the oriental pied hornbill, bar-tailed godwit and maskray.
Many of these species rely on the region’s diverse ecosystems, from mangroves and coastal wetlands to lowland forests, which could be disrupted by the construction of the land bridge project.
Using the approach of citizen scientists and integrating with digital platforms, local communities can gather biodiversity data to flag their concerns on the possible impact of the mega project.
For Suchat and Chaloem-usa Srikiao, local business owners and members of the Rak Patho Network, this movement is not only about gathering data – it is a grassroots effort to empower locals with a knowledge of the area’s natural history and ecosystem services.
Their work also helps fill critical data gaps in the development process, as environmental assessments for major infrastructure projects often rely heavily on government databases.
These databases typically focus on national parks, overlooking smaller forest patches, community-managed lands and unprotected green spaces – areas that still harbor rich biodiversity and provide essential ecological functions.
“The biodiversity data in the government’s study is outdated and lacks detail. We need thorough studies beforehand to prevent biodiversity loss and the decline of ecosystem services,” said Suchat.
Resurfacing mega-project
According to the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, which conducted a feasibility study on the land bridge project, it could reduce transportation time by up to four days, compared with the traditional shipping route through the Strait of Malacca, where vessels typically pass through the Port of Singapore and Malaysian ports.
The project was first proposed in 1989, but faced repeated delays due to local protests and challenges in securing investors and funding sources.
However, the project has resurfaced under the present government, led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who envisions it as a way to position Thailand as a key logistics hub, attract foreign investment and drive economic growth.
With strong government backing, the land bridge project is once again at the center of Thailand’s infrastructure development agenda, despite questions on the environmental and social impacts.
In mid-February, Prime Minister Paetongtarn announced that the government would hold a workshop with local communities to address their concerns about the project.
The government also revealed the names of potential investors, including the China Harbour Engineering Company and Dubai Port World, a multinational logistics firm based in Dubai. Both have expressed interest in financing and developing key components of the project.
Despite the government’s assurances of community participation, Benjawan Tubtimthong, a former kindergarten teacher turned activist, remained skeptical about how inclusive the process would truly be.
“From the beginning, they have excluded impacted villagers from discussions, inviting only local leaders who often align with the government’s agenda. This isn’t fair,” said Benjawan. “What will we leave for our children if we destroy the environment?”
The construction of deep-sea ports will require extensive dredging, which could disrupt marine ecosystems, alter coastal hydrodynamics and threaten the fisheries local communities depend on.
The expressway and railway will cut through forested areas, leading to habitat fragmentation that could endanger wildlife, reduce genetic diversity and weaken ecosystem resilience.
Conservationists and residents fear that these disruptions would have long-term consequences, particularly in the ecologically sensitive Isthmus of Kra, a critical biodiversity corridor acting as a transition of ecosystems between mainland Southeast Asia and the Malay peninsula.
Sciences for decision making
For years, botanist Kittichet Sridit, a lecturer at Prince of Songkla University, has studied vegetation along the proposed land bridge route on the Isthmus of Kra, the botanical zone that blends species from subtropical and tropical climates.
This narrow stretch of land consists of several patches of forests, which are often dismissed as degraded and overlooked in environmental impact assessments.
While they are not part of national parks or officially designated conservation areas, he explained, they serve as critical corridors for genetic exchange among wildlife populations.
“These forest remnants are like stepping-stones enabling genetic exchange,” said Kittichet. “Losing them would diminish genetic diversity, impacting population structures in the long run. Once gone, they’re lost forever.”
The Isthmus of Kra is also part of the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, one of the world’s most critical bird migration routes that covers 22 countries.
Approximately 50 million migratory birds pass through this corridor each year. Ranong and Chumphon provinces serve as a vital stopover point for many species on this route.
Rongrong Angkaew and Wich’yanan Limparungpatthanakij, who have studied migratory birds in the Isthmus of Kra, emphasized that the proposed land bridge site provided essential habitats for endangered and vulnerable species listed on the IUCN Red List – including the pale-capped pigeon, Nordmann’s greenshank and plain-pouched hornbill.
They expressed concern that scientific ecological data is often overlooked in decision-making for large-scale development projects.
“As researchers, we’re frustrated by the lack of government support for ecological studies. It limits our ability to make sound recommendations, and the lack of transparency worsens these challenges,” Wich’yanan said.
“I’m hopeful that citizen-gathered data can hold the government accountable. The information we’re collecting isn’t just for us – it’s a tool for the community for better decision-making on development.”
The production of this story was supported by Earth Journalism Network.
