The Thai government plans to build a strategic road on Kood Island to facilitate travel by people and officials living on the island and to facilitate the movement of military hardware and logistic supplies to marines stationed at a base there, according to Phisut Ratanawong, chairman of the Senate committee on tourism and sports, today.
He said that sovereignty over the island has been contested by Cambodia and Thai marines must be stationed there.
The island is covered with lush forests and mountains, making it difficult to supply troops stationed there, especially during the monsoon season
Kood Island is in the eastern Gulf of Thailand in Trat province, near the maritime border with Cambodia. It is Thailand’s fourth largest island.
He claimed that the Senate committee has placed importance on the road project on the island and the project is supported by the Rural Road Department, which promised to start building the road next year, to be completed in 2028, which will enable the Navy to move its artillery to the base. This will be followed by an electricity supply for the marines as well as about 2,000 to 3,000 people on the island, who currently have no access to electricity.
He said that the installation of artillery on the island will should deter Cambodian forces.
Meanwhile, Capt. Rungroj Intra, commander of the 1st Coastal Defense Regiment, and chair of a Senate panel, described the difficulty of communication on the island due to the tough terrain and lack of a road. With a road, he claimed that the morale of the 60 marines stationed there will be boosted and villagers will have easier access to the outside world.
The Navy also plans to reinforce bunkers on the island as a precautionary measure.
