webfact Posted October 22, 2018 Share Posted October 22, 2018 Panama backs Kra Canal as right move for Thai growth By The Nation Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado BUILDING a channel linking two major seas would boost Thailand’s role in global connectivity, said Panama’s Vice President Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado, whose country has played a similar role for over a century since it opened the Panama Isthmus in 1914. “I think it is very powerful in every way for connectivity in the future. It’s a huge potential for growth for Thailand,” de Alvarado replied when asked if the Kingdom should go ahead with plans to build the Kra Canal linking the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea. “I think that is the correct direction.” When asked if security was ever a concern for Panama, she said security is always a concern, but strong cooperation with regional allies had helped her country stay secure. De Alvarado, who is also foreign minister, was in Thailand for a bilateral visit. She met her counterpart, Don Pramudwinai, before making a courtesy call on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to discuss a wide range of subjects on bilateral cooperation, notably air and maritime connectivity. She said her country plays a significant role as a gateway for Thailand to access Latin America and the Caribbean. “We are also interested in infrastructure projects in Thailand including deep-sea ports,” she said. With deep-sea ports, Thailand will be able to send large ships directly from Thailand to Panama, with local and regional cargo, she added. Thailand could learn from Panama’s experience in establishing a special economic zone, the Colon Free Trade Zone, which can be applied to the Eastern Economic Corridor Project, she added. Panama is also interested in signing a free-trade agreement with Thailand, she said, adding that her government will discuss the matter with the government once it has concluded free-trade negotiations with China next year. In a meeting with the private sector, de Alvarado said her country could open the door for Thai firms to establish their headquarters in Panama, so they could connect to Latin America and the Caribbean. “We are also working on strengthening our export sector. We export some fruit and I know Thailand produces a lot of fruit, so we need to find out what products Thailand does not have. We are also working on the export of meat, so we will need to sit down, discuss and identify the areas of cooperation,” she said. At a meeting with Thai officials, Panama also expressed interest in partnering with Asean and signing a friendship pact with the group. Since Thailand will be chairing the regional grouping next year, it could back Panama in signing the friendship pact, she said. De Alvarado is also visiting Singapore and Indonesia. Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30356981 -- © Copyright The Nation 2018-10-23 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesofa Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 4 hours ago, webfact said: Panama backs Kra Canal as right move for Thai growth Would they recommend the same construction company again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darcula Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Traffic congestion could be a problem in that one..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mok199 Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Come and look at the disaster in progress as thai engineers rebuild pattayas beach using sand bags sprinkled over with sand..,with floodwater runoffs .leading back onto the new sand bags...many finished areas already have ugly, exposed and torn bags from flood erosion ...but then again this was never intended as a beach ..it was intended to distribute money to friends and reletives and be a better boat launch, to get the Chinese to and from their islands and parasails...so I guess they have succeeded.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowboat Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Cue Singapore to open its check book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HappyinNE Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 I think Singapore is smarter than that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marko kok prong Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Oh my God,imagine all the workers mixing concrete in buckets,and chicken wire re bar,no this is way beyond Thailand's capabilities,some Alien's will have to build it ,assuming they can get work permits and are not picked up in big jokes X ray op's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norfolkc Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Could be a very good thing for this country Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worgeordie Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 The connected people who bought land in the proposed area years ago,when it was first put forward,will be hoping it happens,the sooner the better,there's a lot of money to be made regards worgeordie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AYJAYDEE Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Damn good idea. It would save lots of transit time and fuel to India and europe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spidermike007 Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 A fascinating idea. One wonders if it could be implemented. The sheer magnitude of the endeavor boggles the mind. But the technology exists, and it is really just a matter of incentive, money and creative juice. It does seem to be completely over the head of the rather small minded current administration, who possess no vision. But a future administration with some talent or creative minds, could potentially make is happen. It is quite different than the Panama Canal, on so many levels though. Although the Isthmus of Kra is just 45km wide at its narrowest point, the proposed canal route would have to be three times that distance to avoid inland mountain ranges. That would make the Kra Canal 58km longer than its counterpart in Panama. The relatively short 1,200km distance saved by bypassing the Malacca Strait also pales in comparison with the 11,000km saved by the construction of its Panama counterpart. That said, however, the Kra Canal would also attract vessels too big to pass through the Malacca Strait, which are presently forced to take much longer routes to and from East Asia via the Sunda or Lombok straits. Using the Kra Canal instead of the Lombok Strait would save 3,500km and six days' sailing time – a much bigger cost advantage. http://www.asianconversations.com/KraCanal.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IAMHERE Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 4 hours ago, bluesofa said: Would they recommend the same construction company again? At least they'll recommend the same financing method; let America pay for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justgrazing Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 9 hours ago, webfact said: Thailand could learn from Panama’s experience in establishing a special economic zone, the Colon Free Trade Zone, No shit .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluesofa Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 1 minute ago, Justgrazing said: 9 hours ago, webfact said: Thailand could learn from Panama’s experience in establishing a special economic zone, the Colon Free Trade Zone, No shit .. Oh yes! That was just superb! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lannarebirth Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 57 minutes ago, IAMHERE said: At least they'll recommend the same financing method; let America pay for it. I doubt it. A Chinese (Hong Kong) company operates the Panama Canal and owns at least two of the Panamanian ports. It is effectively a Chinese strategic asset. I'm sure they'd be happy to do the same for Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srikcir Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 5 hours ago, lannarebirth said: I doubt it. A Chinese (Hong Kong) company operates the Panama Canal and owns at least two of the Panamanian ports. It is effectively a Chinese strategic asset. I'm sure they'd be happy to do the same for Thailand. A Chinese investor for the proposed $50 billion canal through Nicaragua to rival Panama canal has some financial reversals and remains silent about further plans. But then recently China has apparently improved its relations with Panama apparently after Panama dropped relations with Taiwan to establish diplomatic ties with China. That has further shelved the Nicaraguan canal. https://www.scmp.com/news/world/americas/article/2134250/nicaraguas-us50b-rival-panama-canal-going-ahead-slowly-funding The point to be made is that making a Thailand canal isn't just about financing. International politics play a major role. So it's not just about finding an investor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srikcir Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 7 hours ago, AYJAYDEE said: Damn good idea. It would save lots of transit time and fuel to India and europe The reason China would want a Kra Canal is because their main energy sources outside of coal comes from the Gulf Region. In order to maintain energy security they would need to be able to bypass the Straits of Malacca which is not fully controlled by China with India and US having competing interests there. Hence China is developing Pakistan Gwadahr and Myanmar's ports to enable them to bypass the Straits for the energy security concerns and using land pipes as the basis of transport. The Kra Canal hardly helps much compared to these 2 pathways for China's energy security. https://www.reddit.com/r/singapore/comments/7wzeg6/unintended_consequences_puts_kra_canal_not_on/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
habanero Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 China had won bids to perform certain management of the ports at the either end of the canal, and certain repair facilities for a stated number of years, and but the ownership remains with Panama as does the actual operation and transit through the canal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ahab Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Panama did not open the canal in 1914, The United States of America opened the Panama canal in 1914. Undertaking a similar project would not be possible today due to environmental regulations that have been enacted by the United States since the 1970's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ahab Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 7 hours ago, spidermike007 said: A fascinating idea. One wonders if it could be implemented. The sheer magnitude of the endeavor boggles the mind. But the technology exists, and it is really just a matter of incentive, money and creative juice. It does seem to be completely over the head of the rather small minded current administration, who possess no vision. But a future administration with some talent or creative minds, could potentially make is happen. It is quite different than the Panama Canal, on so many levels though. Although the Isthmus of Kra is just 45km wide at its narrowest point, the proposed canal route would have to be three times that distance to avoid inland mountain ranges. That would make the Kra Canal 58km longer than its counterpart in Panama. The relatively short 1,200km distance saved by bypassing the Malacca Strait also pales in comparison with the 11,000km saved by the construction of its Panama counterpart. That said, however, the Kra Canal would also attract vessels too big to pass through the Malacca Strait, which are presently forced to take much longer routes to and from East Asia via the Sunda or Lombok straits. Using the Kra Canal instead of the Lombok Strait would save 3,500km and six days' sailing time – a much bigger cost advantage. http://www.asianconversations.com/KraCanal.php I cannot image any vessel being too large to transit the Straits of Malacca, U.S. Navy nuclear powered aircraft carriers routinely transit these waters. I think whoever wrote the article needs to do a bit more research on the width and depths present in the Straits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spidermike007 Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 2 hours ago, Ahab said: I cannot image any vessel being too large to transit the Straits of Malacca, U.S. Navy nuclear powered aircraft carriers routinely transit these waters. I think whoever wrote the article needs to do a bit more research on the width and depths present in the Straits. Geography, which makes the strait especially crucial for global commerce, is also what makes the Strait of Malacca dangerous. It remains one of the world’s narrowest straits: 1.5 nautical miles, or about 1.7 miles on land, at its narrowest point, the Phillips Channel, near Singapore, making it a particularly perilous place for ships. Last year, officials from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, the countries surrounding the strait, agreed to take joint steps to reduce potential accidents. There were 60 such accidents in 2015—a number that is expected to grow as traffic through the strait increases each year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer90210 Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 But what about the safety of the vessels, if the Kra Canal does exist one day ? The canal will split the country in 2 and one side will be near the troubled south of Thailand. Nobody wants it to become another Somalia-like water front, with pirates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spidermike007 Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 4 hours ago, observer90210 said: But what about the safety of the vessels, if the Kra Canal does exist one day ? The canal will split the country in 2 and one side will be near the troubled south of Thailand. Nobody wants it to become another Somalia-like water front, with pirates. But the all powerful and extremely competent army and navy will take care of that. Who would mess with the Thai army? Such prowess. Such amazing ability. They are envied worldwide for their stunning achievements, genius, vision and kind hearted attitude toward their people. Nothing but benevolence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ahab Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 7 hours ago, spidermike007 said: Geography, which makes the strait especially crucial for global commerce, is also what makes the Strait of Malacca dangerous. It remains one of the world’s narrowest straits: 1.5 nautical miles, or about 1.7 miles on land, at its narrowest point, the Phillips Channel, near Singapore, making it a particularly perilous place for ships. Last year, officials from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore, the countries surrounding the strait, agreed to take joint steps to reduce potential accidents. There were 60 such accidents in 2015—a number that is expected to grow as traffic through the strait increases each year. Valid points, might have been good to include them into the article instead of just saying some ships are too large to transit the Straits of Malacca. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAG Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 3 hours ago, spidermike007 said: But the all powerful and extremely competent army and navy will take care of that. Who would mess with the Thai army? Such prowess. Such amazing ability. They are envied worldwide for their stunning achievements, genius, vision and kind hearted attitude toward their people. Nothing but benevolence. You are, of course, speaking in general terms... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAG Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 Plans are afoot, one hears, to build a 3km test canal, up in Isaan somewhere (land is cheap and they have all the buckshee earth moving plant left over from the railway test track)! There are several committees working on where to find the water to fill it, and the ships to test it... ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spidermike007 Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 29 minutes ago, JAG said: You are, of course, speaking in general terms... No. I was being cynical. Really? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzaa09 Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 Growth and benefiting whom? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebell Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 31 minutes ago, zzaa09 said: Growth and benefiting whom? Before the plan is approved there will be an unseemly land-grab by those connected to the Generals who get first dibs on all major projects. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AYJAYDEE Posted October 24, 2018 Share Posted October 24, 2018 On 10/23/2018 at 4:39 AM, Srikcir said: The reason China would want a Kra Canal is because their main energy sources outside of coal comes from the Gulf Region. In order to maintain energy security they would need to be able to bypass the Straits of Malacca which is not fully controlled by China with India and US having competing interests there. Hence China is developing Pakistan Gwadahr and Myanmar's ports to enable them to bypass the Straits for the energy security concerns and using land pipes as the basis of transport. The Kra Canal hardly helps much compared to these 2 pathways for China's energy security. https://www.reddit.com/r/singapore/comments/7wzeg6/unintended_consequences_puts_kra_canal_not_on/ plenty of other reasons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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