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ICDI Consults Local Government Stakeholders on Rail Freight Connectivity in the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC)

4 August 2026
International College of Digital Innovation
On 30 July 2026, the research team for the project "Review and Analysis of Data for the Study on Domestic and Regional Rail Network Connectivity," commissioned by the Rail Technology Research and Development Agency (Public Organization) (RTRDA), conducted fieldwork at the Rap Ro Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Tha Sae District, Chumphon Province, to gather input from local government stakeholders on rail freight connectivity within the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC).

The research team is led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Rujira Ouncharoen, Dean of the International College of Digital Innovation, Chiang Mai University (Project Leader), together with Asst. Prof. Dr. Nopasit Chakpitak, ICDI faculty member and former President of Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Ltd. (Project Advisor); Mr. Somsak Wongpanyathaworn, former Senior Director of the Bank of Thailand (Researcher); Ms. Suppara Sekacharn, former Thai Commercial Attach? and former Director of the Thai Trade Center in Guangzhou, People's Republic of China (Researcher); and Ms. She Bibi, an expert in the Chinese economy and financial technology (Researcher).

The delegation met with Mr. Auyporn Meephian, President of the Rap Ro Subdistrict Administrative Organization, together with the executive team and representatives from relevant organizations, including Mr. Banleng Srisawat, a member of the Tha Sae District Agricultural Council; Ms. Supattra Ngoentong; and Ms. Sitapat Thonglert, members of the Chumphon Digital Durian Community Enterprise, to exchange views on the area's development potential, infrastructure planning, and the role of local government in supporting economic development and logistics systems. Discussions focused particularly on strengthening connections between agricultural production areas and future transportation and freight networks.

The meeting also explored approaches to aligning local development with future transport infrastructure projects, while promoting collaboration among government agencies, the private sector, and local communities to ensure that transportation development responds to local needs and delivers long-term benefits.

The insights gathered from the local administrative organization will contribute to the project's research findings and policy recommendations aimed at strengthening domestic and regional rail network connectivity, improving logistics efficiency, and supporting sustainable grassroots economic development.
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