Kra canal a route to disaster

I agree that Thailand needs to move in the direction of more global cooperation to add value to its economy and enhance its technology. 

Letter-writer Prasan Stianrapapong contends that Thailand could further this aim by building a Kra Isthmus canal, which would assist China’s global aspirations in constructing the so-called maritime Silk Route.

However, a similar though much grander project in Nicaragua might be at risk due to huge financial losses suffered by its major Chinese financier, telecom entrepreneur Wang Jing, who prior to the Chinese market crash was worth US$10.2 billion. “His net worth has since fallen to $1.1 billion,” Bloomberg reports.

Should China’s economy continue to slow down, financial investments by Chinese companies (and even its government) could soon be in question. 

While Thailand has fortunately delayed its commitment to spend a billion dollars on submarines for a non-existent naval threat, a huge, environmentally damaging effort to build a Kra canal could end up ruining investors. We need only recall the countless problems and corruption allegations in Suvarnabhumi Airport’s construction, the purchase of fake bomb-detectors, the seldom-used military dirigible, and the infamous Hopewell road-rail project. 

Meanwhile, many roads in Bangkok are crumbling or underwater. Flood prevention, proper drainage and safe roads should be a high priority, but are not. Much planning needs to be done to tackle Thailand’s flood-drought cycle and Bangkok’s subsidence.

Shouldn’t you learn to walk (or swim, as the case may be) before you try to run?

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