webfact Posted September 7, 2020 Share Posted September 7, 2020 Thailand Takes a Step Back From Kra Canal Proposal BY THE MARITIME EXECUTIVE The Kra Isthmus separates the Bay of Bengal, left, from the Gulf of Thailand (NASA Worldview) Thailand is now examining ground transport alternatives to a proposed 60-mile-long canal across the Kra Isthmus, dampening China's hopes for a strategic alternative to the Strait of Malacca. Last week, Bloomberg reported that Thailand is now considering the construction of two deep sea ports, one on each side of the isthmus, then connecting the two by road and rail. For dry goods, this arrangement could trim about two to three days of sea travel off the voyage between East Asia and the Bay of Bengal, but it would not provide a shortcut for military vessels or VLCCs. “Using an alternative route through Thailand would cut shipping time by more than two days, which is very valuable for businesses," said transport minister Saksiam Chidchob in an interview with Bloomberg. The Strait of Malacca is one of the world's most important strategic choke points for shipping. More than 200 merchant vessels transit the waterway each day, including the oil tankers that supply China's booming demand for imported petroleum. A pipeline between Myanmar and Yunnan Province carries roughly 200,000 barrels per day from a receiving port on the Bay of Bengal into refineries in Kunming, but it supplies a small fraction of China's nine million bpd import volume. Full story: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/thailand-takes-a-step-back-from-kra-canal-proposal -- © Copyright The Maritime Executive 2020-09-08 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post don43451 Posted September 7, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted September 7, 2020 Okay, I'm not a transportation specialist and have no experience in shipping. I see how saving two days can save money, but wouldn't the extra handling and fees for using the ports offset any savings? 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post overherebc Posted September 7, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted September 7, 2020 Let the Chinese lend the money to pay for it then dont pay them back. Other countries are starting to do it. 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellowboat Posted September 7, 2020 Share Posted September 7, 2020 Many foreign countries have voiced concerns about this. Countries that also do a lot of trade with Thailand. A rail system is probably now going to work and cost a lot more than it will save. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bodga Posted September 7, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted September 7, 2020 31 minutes ago, don43451 said: Okay, I'm not a transportation specialist and have no experience in shipping. I see how saving two days can save money, but wouldn't the extra handling and fees for using the ports offset any savings? Yeah but theres not as much kickback in that is there 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Puchaiyank Posted September 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted September 8, 2020 Chinese already control the mighty Mekong...don't give the Chinese navy easy access to their rival India... 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Sharp Posted September 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted September 8, 2020 1 hour ago, overherebc said: Let the Chinese lend the money to pay for it then dont pay them back. Other countries are starting to do it. Own the debt own the country is the problem... 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post overherebc Posted September 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted September 8, 2020 27 minutes ago, Sharp said: Own the debt own the country is the problem... Call it 'Covid Credit' ???? 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jaiyen Posted September 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted September 8, 2020 This is so obviously another way of China taking over countries a little bit at a time. We can all see it but the governments only see the money in their pockets. Just look at what's happening in Africa. 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tropicalevo Posted September 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted September 8, 2020 15 minutes ago, jaiyen said: This is so obviously another way of China taking over countries a little bit at a time. We can all see it but the governments only see the money in their pockets. Just look at what's happening in Africa. and in other countries in SE Asia 5 hours ago, webfact said: connecting the two by road and rail ....... it would not provide a shortcut for military vessels or VLCCs. And that is why China wants the canal. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotchilli Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 5 hours ago, webfact said: Thailand is now examining ground transport alternatives to a proposed 60-mile-long canal across the Kra Isthmus, dampening China's hopes for a strategic alternative to the Strait of Malacca. If Thailand let this canal be built for the Chinese use of containers and military vessels they can kiss goodbye any trade talks with the west. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtls2005 Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 I will gladly give you a canal today, for a submarine tomorrow. Idea has been around for eons, as early as the 17th century. Believe there was even a proposal to use nuclear bombs to speed up construction. Typically viewed as bad for national security as it would divide the Kingdom. 6 hours ago, don43451 said: Okay, I'm not a transportation specialist and have no experience in shipping. I see how saving two days can save money, but wouldn't the extra handling and fees for using the ports offset any savings? Strait of Malacca viewed as "choke-able" in a conflict - also narrow, congested, accident-prone, pirates, longer transit - not that a canal wouldn't be. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post RocketDog Posted September 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted September 8, 2020 5 hours ago, Sharp said: Own the debt own the country is the problem... Absolutely correct. China has gained significant beacheads in other countries this way. They actually plan it this way. Again, it's the long view they have. They've snookered more than one country in Africa that way in their quest for colonies and mining interests. Fortunately the world is waking up to this scam as well as finally taking china's nakedly stated goal of global domination seriously. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PETERTHEEATER Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 And what about the much vaunted Daweii port in Burma and the full speed ahead fast rail/road connection from Bangkok up through Kanchanaburi into Burma? Cancel any ideas on building a canal and, instead, develop a heavy lift transport aircraft to carry the submarines to and from from U-Tapao to the Andaman Sea to enable the essential national security operations. Got to be cheaper. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post NCC1701A Posted September 8, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted September 8, 2020 Based on how long it is taking to build the Dual track train through Hua Hin it will be two hundred years before this canal is completed. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrTuner Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 (edited) Am I dreaming, or is the bromance between Thailand and China going a bit sour? Here's to hoping. Perhaps somebody who's ancestor once said "Money is their God. Life itself is of little value compared with the leanest bank account" put their foot down. Edited September 8, 2020 by DrTuner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redline Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 Thailand has enough troubles than to enter this political minefield 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grumpy John Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 4 minutes ago, Redline said: Thailand has enough troubles than to enter this political minefield Don't be so sure! The wind could be blowing in a different direction tomorrow. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Saucage Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 27 minutes ago, DrTuner said: Am I dreaming, or is the bromance between Thailand and China going a bit sour? Possibly some members of the other more powerful faction are not so happy to see how Prawit and his Pinocchio try sell the country to China for a handful of watches? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
worgeordie Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 But .....But China wants the canal,plus influential Thais who bought up plots of land in the area when the canal was first proposed years ago,they will want a good return on their investment,so it may be one step back,two steps forward. regards worgeordie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrTuner Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 15 minutes ago, Flying Saucage said: Possibly some members of the other more powerful faction are not so happy to see how Prawit and his Pinocchio try sell the country to China for a handful of watches? Or it could be as simple as CCP running out of cash to bribe the usurpers with. Money still number one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodga Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 7 hours ago, Tropicalevo said: and in other countries in SE Asia And that is why China wants the canal. and thailands greed will let it happen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bodga Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 20 minutes ago, worgeordie said: But .....But China wants the canal,plus influential Thais who bought up plots of land in the area when the canal was first proposed years ago,they will want a good return on their investment,so it may be one step back,two steps forward. regards worgeordie screw em all and dig a tunnel instead???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cake Monster Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 The real reason Thailand is backing away from this project is ....Money. Ships that passage the Suez or Panama Canals can save many days on voyage times because these Canals cut out whole Continents, and save huge amounts of time. Their Toll charges for passage reflects this and are high, but still much less than the other option. The proposed Kra Canal, would save very little time compared with the Suez or Panama, as the voyage time would only be cut by 2 days ( the passage of Malacca Straits ) and the passage of any Kra Canal would only command a small fee in relation to Construction costs Etc. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guderian Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 The Chinese already took over Thailand at least twice in recorded history. First the Tai people arrived a thousand or so years ago, and then the Chu Chao clan a few centuries ago. And they still largely own the country, or at least the most important bits of it. Plus ca change... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flying Saucage Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 (edited) Here the latest comments of Prayut on the canal. The Prayut-Prawit clique istill is keen to build the canal, to sell the country to China and to make their Chinese buddies happy. But maybe, maybe other more powerful people in the country are not so happy about this (yet): https://www.thaienquirer.com/18042/prayut-suggests-reviving-east-west-canal-plans-storms-out-of-press-briefing-after-being-questioned-about-coup/ The last lines of the article about a possible coup speak volumes as well. Prayut and Prawit are quite a bit scared now to get retired soon, it seems. Edited September 8, 2020 by Flying Saucage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daiwill60 Posted September 9, 2020 Share Posted September 9, 2020 On 9/8/2020 at 6:21 AM, overherebc said: Let the Chinese lend the money to pay for it then dont pay them back. Other countries are starting to do it. Oh, do you mean like Laos where they are totally at the mercy of China now for their water and electricity supplies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
overherebc Posted September 9, 2020 Share Posted September 9, 2020 (edited) 26 minutes ago, daiwill60 said: Oh, do you mean like Laos where they are totally at the mercy of China now for their water and electricity supplies? Make a wild assumption eh. At least one country in Africa has told them they aren't going to pay them back. Maybe a lesson in good ideas for some other countries. In July this year China agreed to defer payments from a few African countries. They are starting to get a bit panicky, I think, on some of these we're buying your country, loans. Edited September 9, 2020 by overherebc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubbaJohnny Posted September 9, 2020 Share Posted September 9, 2020 (edited) Where to put all the soil dug out,such a big pile of Kra might cause the deep South to drift off to the Sultans of Swing or even as big a hole as Indersneezier.. Merry Isthmus. Edited September 9, 2020 by RubbaJohnny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExpatOilWorker Posted September 10, 2020 Share Posted September 10, 2020 13 hours ago, overherebc said: Make a wild assumption eh. At least one country in Africa has told them they aren't going to pay them back. Maybe a lesson in good ideas for some other countries. In July this year China agreed to defer payments from a few African countries. They are starting to get a bit panicky, I think, on some of these we're buying your country, loans. Add another $50 billion to the NPL pile that Venezuela owes China. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-china-exclusive/exclusive-venezuela-wins-grace-period-on-china-oil-for-loan-deals-sources-say-idUSKCN2581UN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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