Perfect time to push Kra Canal

Without a doubt, Thailand will benefit from China’s US$1.6-trillion transport investment plan. However the taboo subject of the Kra Canal, an essential part of the plan, was not touched upon at the forum.

This is great timing for Thailand to consider building the canal now, when we have China excited about it. Thailand would benefit immensely in accommodating China’s hope of building the canal. As an 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 ‘One Belt, One Road’ blueprint.” By cutting through the 50km land bridge in Chumphon, travel time could be reduced by four days and shipping vessels could avoid Singap-ore’s pirate-infested waters. With 15 million barrels of oil at stake daily, the Kra Canal alternative is unlikely to be ignored by China in its efforts to establish the maritime Silk Road. 

Songdej Praditsmanont