BANGKOK, THAILAND – Upcoming elections in February 2026 put Thailand’s infrastructure drive on hold, freezing projects worth about 360 billion baht.
Eleven major projects waiting for next cabinet
The Transport Ministry faced a major hurdle despite a higher budget of 265.41 billion baht, as 11 fully planned large-scale projects could not begin. Their total value of 359.8 billion baht was pending submission to a new cabinet after the 8 February election.
“Once a new government is in office, these projects can be advanced immediately,”
said a ministry source, adding that political paralysis prevailed in the meantime.
Prestige expressways and Phuket link on ice
The list included high-profile road and expressway schemes such as the Chalong Rat Expressway–Outer Bangkok Ring Road (East), budgeted at 13.67 billion baht. Also delayed were the Western Outer Ring Road Motorway (M9) from Bang Bua Thong to Bang Pa-in, worth 15.86 billion baht, and the Srinakarin–Suvarnabhumi Airport Expressway at 20.81 billion baht. A major undertaking was the Phuket Expressway from Muang Mai to Kathu, with a project volume of 46.75 billion baht.
Rail upgrades and airport expansions in limbo
Rail development also stalled, with three double-track sections of the State Railway of Thailand in the south, valued at 101.25 billion baht, awaiting approval. The same applied to airport expansion plans, which envisaged 90.66 billion baht in investment to sharply increase passenger capacity. Suvarnabhumi was set to grow from 65 to 80 million passengers a year, Don Mueang from 30 to 40 million, while Chiang Mai and Phuket airports were also slated for major upgrades.
Economic stimulus hopes clash with political caution
The ministry viewed the projects as an important stimulus package that could boost the economy and create tens of thousands of jobs in the construction sector. However, political uncertainty froze these plans, as projects with long-term budget commitments were not allowed to be approved before a government was formed. Experts warned of further delays for an already weak economy, stressing that every lost month cost growth.
Land Bridge and airport high-speed link also blocked
Even larger schemes remained in the background, including the southern Land Bridge Initiative, estimated at 990 billion baht, which required its own law. Resolution of public-private partnership contracts for the high-speed rail line linking the three airports Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao also depended on the next government. The elections were set to determine not only political direction but also whether Thailand’s infrastructure would finally move into the future or remain stuck in congestion.