Kra Canal not touched on at Chinese transport forum

Without a doubt, Thailand will benefit from China’s transport investment plan “One belt, One road” worth US$1.6 trillion. The taboo subject of the Kra Canal, which is an essential part of the plan, was not touched upon at the forum.

It is great timing for Thailand to consider building the Kra Canal now when we have China excited about it. Thailand would benefit immensely in accommodating China’s hope of having the Kra Canal built. As one academic in Singapore wrote: “The Kra Canal would not only transform Thailand into a regional maritime centre that could trump the Singaporean and Malaysian port hubs along the Malacca Strait. It would also serve as a critical artery of China’s Maritime Silk Road, now part of the country’s “One Belt, One Road” blueprint.” 

By cutting a “land-bridge” in Chumphon of 50 kilometres, travelling time could be reduced by four days for shipping vessels instead of going around pirate-infested Singapore. With 15 million barrels of oil passing through daily, the alternative route of the Kra Canal is unlikely to be ignored by rising China in realising their dream of a maritime Silk Road to foster their economy. If they can do it on land, I doubt they would give up on this tiny dot of 50 kilometres for maritime convenience.

Songdej Praditsmanont