WASHINGTON, December 22, 2025 - The World Bank's board today approved the US140.76 million Thailand Resilient Transport and Irrawaddy Dolphin Conservation Project (TRIP) that will support Thailand's efforts to build flood- and storm-resilient transport links and boost job creation and economic opportunities for 350,000 people, while reinforcing the government's initiatives to safeguard a critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphin sub-population in Songkhla Lake.

The project combines infrastructure development with biodiversity conservation, constructing two bridges while supporting the implementation of Thailand's newly approved Irrawaddy Dolphin Conservation Plan. The Plan aims to protect a sub-population of Irrawaddy dolphins located in the upper part of Songkhla Lake, north of one of the proposed bridge sites. A US$4 million PROBLUE grant, administered by the World Bank, will co-finance the implementation of the Plan, and facilitate access to international best practices and knowledge.

"This project marks a significant milestone in our renewed partnership with Thailand-bringing critical infrastructure to local communities while protecting the country's unique natural assets that support local economies," said Melinda Good, World Bank Division Director for Thailand and Myanmar. "The Bank is committed to supporting Thailand's future growth and improving the livelihoods of communities across the country."

While Thailand's economy has grown impressively over decades, the pace has slowed to 2.6 percent since 2010, with the North, Northeast, and South lagging behind. The poverty rate is 7.4 percent in the South, more than double the national average. Transport bottlenecks have limited access to markets, jobs, and services, contributing to persistent inequality, particularly outside of Bangkok.

The bridges are expected to create significant employment opportunities for the local population and benefit more than three million tourists annually. The 7-kilometer bridge across Songkhla Lake will reduce travel time by up to two hours, cutting the current 80-kilometer detour to just 8 kilometers and opening access to markets and tourism destinations. The 2-kilometer Lanta bridge will connect the islands to mainland Krabi, boosting the islands' tourism competitiveness and linking communities to schools, health centers, markets, and essential services. The project will also strengthen evacuation routes and improve resilience to floods, storms, and sea-level rise.

"Together, these bridges will create jobs during construction and support sustained employment in tourism and conservation-linked livelihoods long after they are completed, while strengthening Thailand's tourism sector, which contributes around 20 percent of GDP and supports 4.3 million jobs nationwide," said Chanin Manopiniwes, Project Team Lead at the World Bank.

The project will support ongoing efforts to better manage the protected area where dolphins live, by reducing fishing gear entanglement risk, supporting alternative livelihoods for fishing communities, and investing in research and monitoring.

The project was developed through extensive engagement with civil society, national and international NGOs and individual experts, and communities, who will continue to provide technical advice throughout implementation.

The project marks the World Bank's first lending operation in Thailand in 15 years and underscores the country's efforts in pairing climate-resilient infrastructure development with environmental sustainability as it prepares to host the 2026 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok.