The World Bank’s Board approved the US$140.76 million Thailand Resilient Transport and Irrawaddy Dolphin Conservation Project (TRIP) to enhance flood- and storm-resilient transport links while supporting biodiversity conservation. The project aims to create job opportunities and improve economic access for 350,000 people, while safeguarding a critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphin sub-population in Songkhla Lake. Co-financed with a US$4 million PROBLUE grant, the project will provide access to international expertise and facilitate the implementation of Thailand’s Irrawaddy Dolphin Conservation Plan.
TRIP combines infrastructure development with environmental protection through the construction of two bridges and the conservation of the dolphin habitat. The Songkhla Lake bridge, spanning 7 kilometers, will reduce travel time by up to two hours, opening markets and tourism destinations to communities and tourists. The 2-kilometer Lanta bridge will connect islands in Krabi to the mainland, boosting tourism competitiveness and access to essential services. Both bridges will strengthen evacuation routes and improve resilience to floods, storms, and rising sea levels.
The project also supports sustainable livelihoods and environmental management in the protected dolphin habitat. Measures include reducing fishing gear entanglement risks, providing alternative livelihoods for local fishing communities, and investing in research and monitoring. This integrated approach ensures long-term benefits for both communities and the environment.
Extensive consultation with civil society, NGOs, experts, and local communities informed the project’s design, and stakeholders will continue to provide technical guidance throughout its implementation. TRIP represents the World Bank’s first lending operation in Thailand in 15 years, emphasizing the integration of climate-resilient infrastructure with environmental sustainability as Thailand prepares to host the 2026 IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings.
