The protesters, mostly residents living in the three southeastern provinces affected by the huge project, will also be joined by Bangkok-based activists opposed to some parts of it.

They planned to march from the capital’s central railway station to Government House to submit a petition to the Cabinet and from there to the Easter Economic Corridor office in western Bangkok.

The following day the group will make a similar march to the TOT hall in northwest Bangkok, which is serving as a temporary Parliament House, to submit a petition to parliamentarians.

They say they are opposed to three key aspects of urban planning under the EEC: it is not suitable for some parts of the region; no public hearings have been held for local residents to have their say on it; and it is only for the benefit of certain groups of people, while being detrimental to the region’s food security, economy and way of life.