Thailand's Land Bridge: A New Pivot Point in the US-China Rivalry

Sunhanat Jakkapattarawong; Keratiwan Kalayanamitra; Suebsawad Vutivoradit

Sunhanat Jakkapattarawong College of Politics and Governance, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Thailand
Keratiwan Kalayanamitra College of Politics and Governance, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Thailand
Suebsawad Vutivoradit College of Politics and Governance, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Thailand

Keywords: Geopolitics, Thailand Land Bridge, Malacca Dilemma, US-China Relations

Abstract

Thailand's proposal for a $28 billion "Land Bridge" megaproject, connecting the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, represents a major challenge to Southeast Asia's established sea routes. While the Thai government presents it as an economic project to bypass the crowded Strait of Malacca, this paper argues that the Land Bridge is mainly a geopolitical move. It places Thailand at the center of the growing US-China rivalry and is a major test of its traditional "hedging" (or balancing) foreign policy. This analysis explores the project's strategic impact, arguing that its success depends less on whether it makes money and more on Thailand's ability to manage the competing demands of the great powers. This project is a key case study in how smaller nations use large-scale infrastructure to navigate a competitive world.