Researcher : 

• รศ.ดร.จรรยา ชาญชัยชูจิต – มหาวิทยาลัยสงขลานครินทร์ (หัวหน้าโครงการวิจัย)
  Associate Prof. Dr. Janya Chanchaichujit – Prince of Songkla University

Funded by : 

• United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)

Duration : 

• April-September 2026

Abstract:

           This research project aims to advance sustainable, resilient, and efficient transport connectivity in Asia and the Pacific, focusing on Lao PDR and Yunnan Province, China. Despite improvements in regional transport infrastructure, freight movements continue to face high costs, border delays, infrastructure gaps, fragmented regulations, and limited harmonization of cross-border procedures.

The study examines major transport corridors connecting Lao PDR and Yunnan with Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries, China, seaports, and wider international markets. It assesses infrastructure conditions, missing links, cross-border requirements, and operational and institutional challenges, while exploring opportunities to support the transition from “landlocked” to “land-linked.”

Guided by the ESCAP Regional Framework for Sustainable Transport Corridors, the research addresses low-carbon and climate-resilient infrastructure, transport facilitation, digitalization, technology adoption, and logistics optimization. Regional and international best practices are analyzed, with particular attention to the Time–Cost–Distance (TCD) model for assessing multimodal connectivity between inland nodes and seaports.

The project will provide practical policy and operational recommendations to enhance seamless cross-border connectivity and sustainable corridor performance, supported by capacity building and regional knowledge sharing.

For further information about the project, please contact Associate Prof. Dr. Janya Chanchaichujit.