Minister Phiphat Proposes Re-evaluating Chana Industrial Estate Project

According to a report by Matichon Online on August 17, 2026, Minister of Labor Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn is preparing to revisit the development of the Chana Industrial Estate in Songkhla province. This project, which was previously discussed during the administration of former Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, is being reconsidered as a potential solution to logistical challenges in the region.

Minister Phiphat indicated that the current Songkhla port is facing significant congestion and is limited by its inability to be dredged to greater depths, which restricts its capacity to handle larger vessels. By tasking the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) with conducting a new study, the government aims to determine if the Chana project remains a viable option to alleviate these maritime infrastructure constraints.

For residents and those interested in the regional economy, this development signals a potential shift in industrial planning for Southern Thailand. While the proposal aims to address long-standing port capacity issues, it remains to be confirmed whether the NESDC will approve the study or if the project will face the same public and environmental scrutiny it encountered in the past. No timeline for the commencement of the study or final project approval has been established at this stage.