BANGKOK — 12 May 2026, Thailand’s deputy prime minister and transport minister denied on Tuesday any involvement in allegations that a company linked to his family had been buying land in Ranong province in anticipation of the government’s proposed land bridge project.
Speaking at the Bhumjaithai Party headquarters at 15:00, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn responded to questions about Ama Marine Plc., which recently issued a statement after being linked to reports of land acquisitions in southern Thailand.
“I don’t see how this has anything to do with me, and the company has already issued a clarification,” Phiphat told reporters.
When asked whether a company director shared the Ratchakitprakarn family name, Phiphat acknowledged that the company’s chief executive was his younger brother before asking reporters: “Do you have any problem with that?”
Opposition parties have alleged that the company was acquiring land in Ranong to benefit from the proposed land bridge project, a major infrastructure plan intended to connect the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.
Phiphat rejected the claims, saying the company had already stated publicly that it was not involved and had not purchased any land.
“The company has already clarified that it has no involvement and did not buy any land,” he said, adding that reporters were free to contact the company directly.
Phiphat ended the exchange by saying he did not wish to discuss the matter further because “the more I speak about it, the more it could affect me.”
