Proponents of a 120-kilometre canal project connecting the Gulf of Thailand to the Andaman Sea rallied in support of the scheme on Thursday in Trang.
Members of the Thai Canal Association for Study and Development (TCASD) met key figures in the southern province, including deputy governor Paiboon Omak; Pracha Ngamratanakul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries' Trang chapter; and Paradorn Nuchitsiripatara, head of the Trang rubber farmers' association.
The TCASD contingent was led by former army chief of staff Pongthep Thetprateep.
Gen Pongthep, who also serves as secretary-general of the General Prem Tinsulanonda Statesman Foundation, said he was grateful to the people in Trang who support the group's activities in favour of the "Thai Canal" project.
The proposed project, which concerns the "9A" canal route, runs from Krabi in the Andaman to Trang and stretches further to Nakhon Si Thammarat and Songkhla by the Gulf of Thailand.
Gen Pongthep said the scheme would boost the economy and create much-needed jobs. The TCASD will visit areas to enhance people's understanding of the project, he said.
Last October, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha ordered the National Economic and Social Development Board and the Office of the National Security Council to look into the proposed project.
According to Gen Pongthep, the premier also instructed that local people's opinions about the campaign must be gauged.
"The TCASD is confident that, following the prime minister's instruction, a committee studying the project has to be formed," said Gen Pongthep.
"If the study indicates the project is a good one, it needs to be pressed on with. If not, it may have to be shelved," he said. The TCASD is keen to help boost public understanding of the project, he said.
Gen Pongthep said the South has never been given megaprojects that benefit local people. He also hailed the project as a historic move.
He also denied any links between the TCASD and a political party called Klong Thai (Thai canal) but said he was glad to see there was a party taking an interest in the canal.
The party is led by Sayan Intarapak, a former Trang deputy governor. It is expected to unveil its election candidates for the South soon.