Thailand ponders digging Kra Isthmus - again!

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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE
Thailand ponders digging Kra Isthmus - again!
Kavi Chongkittavorn
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- No issue in Thailand's history has generated such a long and inconclusive debate as the one surrounding the fate of Kra Isthmus. For the past 358 years, since the time of King Narai (1633-1688) when it was first raised with France, the desire to dig the country's small 50-kilometre strip of land down south continues unabated and peppered with John le Carre-liked conspiracy.

This time around, the Kra Canal project has been revived with powerful supporters. The Thai-Chinese Culture and Economic Association of Thailand (TCCEAT) has proposed that the National Reform Council (NRC) conduct a feasibility study on linking the Adaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. After the NRC began its deliberation in October last year, the project was quickly tabled.

Since then it has become one of the most dominant topics but it has been discreetly discussed and heavily lobbied by influential people in and outside the government. One of the 18 NRC committees which oversee the strategies related to agriculture, industry, service, tourism and connectivity is likely to give the green light for the proposed study, which is expected to be completed in just 10 months.

Most of the arguments made by politicians, economists, the military and the strategic community have been focused on two aspects: the economic benefits and the various security implications. It is longer about the cost or obstacles of digging a long canal and the overall environment implications.

All agreed that the financial rewards due to the exponential growth of global trade in the next two decades and beyond will increase many fold with the combined rise of China and India, not to mention Africa's recent economic growth. The demand for energy will continue to fuel further industrialisation and growth in Asia. These are the reasons used by the supporters pushing for a new shipping route linking the Indian and Pacific oceans.

Since most of the Asian trade transactions are carried out through sea transportation, the Kra Canal would cut costs and reduce the transportation time by two to three days.

At the moment, the shipping lane through the Malacca Straits is getting congested. Since the September 9/11 tragedy, dangers from pirates, maritime terrorism, accidents and insurance fees have also increased. Alternative shipping routes have been actively sorted for instance in the Northern Arctic circle and Indonesian maritime zone.

The Kra Canal's proponents believe that the project could be done and would turnaround Thailand's economic slump and turn the country into a global shipping and economic hub rivalling the Panama Canal, beyond what has been envisaged in the Master Plan of Asean Connectivity (2015).

As part of the land connectivity, India, Myanmar and Thailand have already built a highway linking the three countries from Manipur, India to Dawei, Myanmar forward to Laem Chabang, Chon Buri which will be completed next year. This network will connect to Laos, Vietnam and the rest of Southeast Asian archipelago.

With or without the Kra Canal, through India's Act East Policy any physical linkages, land or sea, would propel the country's economic growth along the eastern coast and further modernise economic hinder lands in its northwestern region. For China, alternative transportation routes - safe and secure in a trusted country - are the most imperative and desirable. Doubtless, plenty of Chinese state enterprises and investors are waiting enthusiastically.

However, once the discussion switches to security and strategic aspects, there is a strong psychological cul-de-sac. Unlike the private sector, the Thai security apparatus still views any partition of the Golden Axe (khwan thong) - the shape of Thailand - as unacceptable.

It is quite interesting to stress that the symbolic separation between the mainland and its southern part is more potent than previously suspected when compared to the demand for autonomy in Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat. Some leading business personalities said that the prospects of economic development and the future peace process could further mitigate the negative impact that is visible today. Increased connectivity and shared prosperity in the future should weaken further the threat of separatism.

Although the views within the Thai armed forces are mosaic, the Thai Royal Navy is much more open about the Kra Canal project. It has conducted several studies on the pros and cons of such an endeavours. Armed with a new maritime doctrine, the Navy is looking for new weapon systems including submarines to increase its maritime defence capacity on the Adaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand.

The debate over the Kra Isthmus has been going on for such a long period because of concerns influential personalities have in the economic and security areas. This time, the three TCCEAT members leading the debate also belong to the NRC committee that oversees the country's strategy on connectivity. The high number of feasibility studies involved has also kept the issue alive.

One of the most famous reports was done by a senatorial committee in 1998. It recommended that the Kra canal project should be moved further southward away from Ranong. The proposed 120-kilometre route cutting through the sparsely populated provinces of Krabi, Phatthalung, Nakon Si Thammarat, Songkhla and Trang is still considered the most suitable. It is further away from both the Thai-Myanmar and Thai-Malaysian borders.

Further studies are required on the strategic implications of having a new international shipping hub in a country with a reputation of political uncertainty and turmoil - which could easily turn into a hub of war.

With heighten major power competition as well as Asean members such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam giving top priority to maritime security, it remains to be seen how this archaic idea will play itself out under the current government and the international community at large.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Thailand-ponders-digging-Kra-Isthmus--again!-30257015.html


-- The Nation 2015-03-30

[canuckamuck]

The two countries to the south have reason to fear this, but it would be a big economic benefit to Thailand if they could build it without filling too many privileged pockets on the way.

Of course it is uncertain whether the economic benefits would benefit more than the cloud class.

[Naam]

The two countries to the south have reason to fear this, but it would be a big economic benefit to Thailand if they could build it without filling too many privileged pockets on the way.

Of course it is uncertain whether the economic benefits would benefit more than the cloud class.

what is there to fear?

[BSJ]

The shortest distance near Ranong has some very hilly country. It would be interesting to see how they plan to do it.

[tomyummer]

Maybe with Lee Kuan Yew passing, the project will now see the light of day. Singapore was the biggest opposition to the idea and financially made sure it was kept off the table.

[kotsak]

Maybe with Lee Kuan Yew passing, the project will now see the light of day. Singapore was the biggest opposition to the idea and financially made sure it was kept off the table.

You beat me to it.. His body didn't have time to turn to ashes and this issue surfaces again.. Time to open that massive cheque book again

[canuckamuck]

The two countries to the south have reason to fear this, but it would be a big economic benefit to Thailand if they could build it without filling too many privileged pockets on the way.

Of course it is uncertain whether the economic benefits would benefit more than the cloud class.

what is there to fear?

A reduction in the income from being an important shipping logistics hub.

Edited March 30, 2015 by canuckamuck

[bkkcanuck8]

Singapore is a logistics hub which takes in containers and reloads them on outbound ships (i.e. a ship containing shipments from India (and others) for China, Taiwan, Japan, Vancouver, Los Angeles, etc.) is then taken off and put back on ships that are laden with shipments for one destination.

As such I am wondering if the same thing could not be accomplished with building a port on one side and one on the other side with strong rail connections over those 50 miles (maybe even automated). I would think that just routing ships through the canal would not challenge Singapore since they would still be going through Singapore for unloading/reloading. The canal will also be very restricted on the number of ships going through at once (much more than the straights - which they say are congested).

Edited March 30, 2015 by bkkcanuck8

[micmichd]

The two countries to the south have reason to fear this, but it would be a big economic benefit to Thailand if they could build it without filling too many privileged pockets on the way.

Of course it is uncertain whether the economic benefits would benefit more than the cloud class.

what is there to fear?

Loss of land, damage or environment...

[blundaman]

http://archive.larouchepac.com/node/28237 the Asia Pivot angle

[SoilSpoil]

The ecological damage would be disastrous.

[off road pat]

Singapore is a logistics hub which takes in containers and reloads them on outbound ships (i.e. a ship containing shipments from India (and others) for China, Taiwan, Japan, Vancouver, Los Angeles, etc.) is then taken off and put back on ships that are laden with shipments for one destination.

As such I am wondering if the same thing could not be accomplished with building a port on one side and one on the other side with strong rail connections over those 50 miles (maybe even automated). I would think that just routing ships through the canal would not challenge Singapore since they would still be going through Singapore for unloading/reloading. The canal will also be very restricted on the number of ships going through at once (much more than the straights - which they say are congested).

Yes, I think this would be smarter. You're idea is the best solution I heard or read until now.....And would preserve a whole lot of Nature and mountains, that would have been destroyed ....and cost effective would be a whole lot cheaper.....

[seajae]

seems china is the main instigator in pushing this, all they are concerned with is how they will benefit and have no concerns over Thailand at all. Thailand needs to weigh up exactly what it will do to the country, is it the environment that really needs to be looked at, how much damage will it cause, will joining the two bodies of water cause degradation to the Andaman as the gulf is really just a dumping ground with contaminated waters, will it give more strength to the terrorists wanting their own states , there are a lot of considerations to be taken in and not simply doing it because China wants it.

[Srikcir]

Under the Junta Thailand's economy has begun a spiral downward. Yes, there are global factors beyond its control, but also the Junta's domestic policies simply been short-sighted, unimaginative, and overly conservative. This makes the Junta defensive to its continued rule of Thailand.

If Prayut enacts Article 44 as a defensive measure to assure repressive control, he may force Western democracies (ie., Japan, US, UK, Taiwan, So. Korea) to sever economic ties with Thailand. That will create national security issues for the Junta, namely its existence.

China has already shown its BFF support for the Junta's goverance of Thailand with increased investment in Thailand and a new security agreement. Prayut may welcome its support then for the canal to bouy the economy independent of Western trade and help the Junta maintain credible governance. Of course, there may be a Chinese company that will operate the canal (see Panama Canal) and likely a new Chinese military contingent to assure canal security.

[AJS 7R]

Wasn't highway 44 built to have the canal in-between the road surface.

[Seastallion]

The two countries to the south have reason to fear this, but it would be a big economic benefit to Thailand if they could build it without filling too many privileged pockets on the way.

Of course it is uncertain whether the economic benefits would benefit more than the cloud class.

what is there to fear?

For Singapore, loss of port revenues.

[Thaddeus]

I can hear the chanting starting now.

Merry Kra Isthmus.

[JAG]

The worst pun this century.

[wileycoyote]

It it wasn't for the ecological damage ,I would say great economic benefits

[davidstipek]

Singapore is a logistics hub which takes in containers and reloads them on outbound ships (i.e. a ship containing shipments from India (and others) for China, Taiwan, Japan, Vancouver, Los Angeles, etc.) is then taken off and put back on ships that are laden with shipments for one destination.

As such I am wondering if the same thing could not be accomplished with building a port on one side and one on the other side with strong rail connections over those 50 miles (maybe even automated). I would think that just routing ships through the canal would not challenge Singapore since they would still be going through Singapore for unloading/reloading. The canal will also be very restricted on the number of ships going through at once (much more than the straights - which they say are congested).

This would be a Great Idea.... compared to digging a Canal. 2 new Ports, one on each side... with dual Train Rails, so there is always one going and one coming... No need to wait for track to clear. Multiple trains could be outbound from either Port at same time. If Rail direction is always same, safety of no possible collisions. Have new employment for southern residents in both Rail Unit, Port Unit, Loading Trains also unloading. This would move people from populated areas to settle here. Residential Building projects would benefit from the construction of new homes... Train yards for parking of multiple trains at each port with support personnel. Bangkok by rail to either Port. Also could link Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam by rail to either Port. Malaysia could build rail to Western Port. I have not touched on the Military Implications that would Benefit from this if it was a multiple rail project and Rail Hub...

Plus look at the Ecological Damage it would save!!!

Yes this would hurt Singapore.... but we are Thailand... We need to settle some conflicts here and this would be a big move in this direction. Creating jobs, many new opportunities for new employment! I think Sothern Thailand infractions against the Government would diminish, if not disappear completely. As Income in this area would increase 200 fold... Each Port would have pyramid of jobs, starting at top with Port and cascading out going to bottom with upper links needing lower branched out structure to support. Everyone would have a very important Job.

Of course this would all depend on Thai Residents agreeing to work! (I am not saying there is issue here in this regard, but it is same in Every Country... We have people who would not work regardless what the Benefits were. There would need to be a clause to decrease Welfare Benefits if Employment was available and Resident's refused Employment. As they would have first opportunity at available Jobs) Thai would be at top of employment list to be offered Jobs, 1st in line! If they cannot fill jobs, because not want to work... Then Thailand would suffer from Loss of Face! Asean would then see what Thailand is made-up of... Government would finally see true Spirit of its Citizens!!

Edited March 30, 2015 by davidstipek

[ourmanflint]

But wouldn't Malaysia just float away?

[bangrak]

The two countries to the south have reason to fear this, but it would be a big economic benefit to Thailand if they could build it without filling too many privileged pockets on the way.

Of course it is uncertain whether the economic benefits would benefit more than the cloud class.

what is there to fear?

When 'the two countries to the south' would mean Malaysia, AND SINGAPORE, it would be clear to me, as Singapore would evidently have A LOT to lose from the Krah Canal, which would compromit their supremacy as the hub of maritime transport, both economically and politically of major importance to them, ...what explains why the Singapori have, very discretely but insistantly, being lobbying against this project!

[bangrak]

And I keep repeating this: the Dawei project will cost a fortune to the Thai taxpayers, while some of the biggest 'new elite' Thai families (among these the Shinawatras) and a few major companies will make a fortune out of it, and while the present portal activity ('old elite'?) in the Gulf will lose a lot of its activity, and jobs. Not to forget also that after as short as 40 years, it will all become the property of Myanmar...

The canal would be of tremendous value to Thailand, economically, politically and strategically, but as some of the vultures holding this country in their grip would NOT make big money out of it, the chances are slim it will ever be realised, TiT...

(As for the Military: can't they really please step out of the middleages with their funny nationalist nonsense, it wouldn't separate Thailand in two parts any more than all the previous, and actual, foolish policies concerning the deep South...)

[joboss]

Singapore is a logistics hub which takes in containers and reloads them on outbound ships (i.e. a ship containing shipments from India (and others) for China, Taiwan, Japan, Vancouver, Los Angeles, etc.) is then taken off and put back on ships that are laden with shipments for one destination.

As such I am wondering if the same thing could not be accomplished with building a port on one side and one on the other side with strong rail connections over those 50 miles (maybe even automated). I would think that just routing ships through the canal would not challenge Singapore since they would still be going through Singapore for unloading/reloading. The canal will also be very restricted on the number of ships going through at once (much more than the straights - which they say are congested).

This would be a Great Idea.... compared to digging a Canal. 2 new Ports, one on each side... with dual Train Rails, so there is always one going and one coming... No need to wait for track to clear. Multiple trains could be outbound from either Port at same time. If Rail direction is always same, safety of no possible collisions. Have new employment for southern residents in both Rail Unit, Port Unit, Loading Trains also unloading. This would move people from populated areas to settle here. Residential Building projects would benefit from the construction of new homes... Train yards for parking of multiple trains at each port with support personnel. Bangkok by rail to either Port. Also could link Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam by rail to either Port. Malaysia could build rail to Western Port. I have not touched on the Military Implications that would Benefit from this if it was a multiple rail project and Rail Hub...

Plus look at the Ecological Damage it would save!!!

Yes this would hurt Singapore.... but we are Thailand... We need to settle some conflicts here and this would be a big move in this direction. Creating jobs, many new opportunities for new employment! I think Sothern Thailand infractions against the Government would diminish, if not disappear completely. As Income in this area would increase 200 fold... Each Port would have pyramid of jobs, starting at top with Port and cascading out going to bottom with upper links needing lower branched out structure to support. Everyone would have a very important Job.

Of course this would all depend on Thai Residents agreeing to work! (I am not saying there is issue here in this regard, but it is same in Every Country... We have people who would not work regardless what the Benefits were. There would need to be a clause to decrease Welfare Benefits if Employment was available and Resident's refused Employment. As they would have first opportunity at available Jobs) Thai would be at top of employment list to be offered Jobs, 1st in line! If they cannot fill jobs, because not want to work... Then Thailand would suffer from Loss of Face! Asean would then see what Thailand is made-up of... Government would finally see true Spirit of its Citizens!!

I like your post. Grand ideas. Why the Thai bash at the end?

[Artisi]

Singapore is a logistics hub which takes in containers and reloads them on outbound ships (i.e. a ship containing shipments from India (and others) for China, Taiwan, Japan, Vancouver, Los Angeles, etc.) is then taken off and put back on ships that are laden with shipments for one destination.

As such I am wondering if the same thing could not be accomplished with building a port on one side and one on the other side with strong rail connections over those 50 miles (maybe even automated). I would think that just routing ships through the canal would not challenge Singapore since they would still be going through Singapore for unloading/reloading. The canal will also be very restricted on the number of ships going through at once (much more than the straights - which they say are congested).

This would be a Great Idea.... compared to digging a Canal. 2 new Ports, one on each side... with dual Train Rails, so there is always one going and one coming... No need to wait for track to clear. Multiple trains could be outbound from either Port at same time. If Rail direction is always same, safety of no possible collisions. Have new employment for southern residents in both Rail Unit, Port Unit, Loading Trains also unloading. This would move people from populated areas to settle here. Residential Building projects would benefit from the construction of new homes... Train yards for parking of multiple trains at each port with support personnel. Bangkok by rail to either Port. Also could link Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam by rail to either Port. Malaysia could build rail to Western Port. I have not touched on the Military Implications that would Benefit from this if it was a multiple rail project and Rail Hub...

Plus look at the Ecological Damage it would save!!!

Yes this would hurt Singapore.... but we are Thailand... We need to settle some conflicts here and this would be a big move in this direction. Creating jobs, many new opportunities for new employment! I think Sothern Thailand infractions against the Government would diminish, if not disappear completely. As Income in this area would increase 200 fold... Each Port would have pyramid of jobs, starting at top with Port and cascading out going to bottom with upper links needing lower branched out structure to support. Everyone would have a very important Job.

Of course this would all depend on Thai Residents agreeing to work! (I am not saying there is issue here in this regard, but it is same in Every Country... We have people who would not work regardless what the Benefits were. There would need to be a clause to decrease Welfare Benefits if Employment was available and Resident's refused Employment. As they would have first opportunity at available Jobs) Thai would be at top of employment list to be offered Jobs, 1st in line! If they cannot fill jobs, because not want to work... Then Thailand would suffer from Loss of Face! Asean would then see what Thailand is made-up of... Government would finally see true Spirit of its Citizens!!

Could you please detail what "Welfare Benefits" you are referring to.

[Usual Suspect]

Well the excavation task will not be a problem here..Thailand must have the biggest number of diggers & 6-wheel tippers than any other country worldwide! (Google Earth must have a job keeping up when at any given time 5-10% of this country's land-surface is in the back of them trucks!)

[davidstipek]

Singapore is a logistics hub which takes in containers and reloads them on outbound ships (i.e. a ship containing shipments from India (and others) for China, Taiwan, Japan, Vancouver, Los Angeles, etc.) is then taken off and put back on ships that are laden with shipments for one destination.

As such I am wondering if the same thing could not be accomplished with building a port on one side and one on the other side with strong rail connections over those 50 miles (maybe even automated). I would think that just routing ships through the canal would not challenge Singapore since they would still be going through Singapore for unloading/reloading. The canal will also be very restricted on the number of ships going through at once (much more than the straights - which they say are congested).

This would be a Great Idea.... compared to digging a Canal. 2 new Ports, one on each side... with dual Train Rails, so there is always one going and one coming... No need to wait for track to clear. Multiple trains could be outbound from either Port at same time. If Rail direction is always same, safety of no possible collisions. Have new employment for southern residents in both Rail Unit, Port Unit, Loading Trains also unloading. This would move people from populated areas to settle here. Residential Building projects would benefit from the construction of new homes... Train yards for parking of multiple trains at each port with support personnel. Bangkok by rail to either Port. Also could link Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam by rail to either Port. Malaysia could build rail to Western Port. I have not touched on the Military Implications that would Benefit from this if it was a multiple rail project and Rail Hub...

Plus look at the Ecological Damage it would save!!!

Yes this would hurt Singapore.... but we are Thailand... We need to settle some conflicts here and this would be a big move in this direction. Creating jobs, many new opportunities for new employment! I think Sothern Thailand infractions against the Government would diminish, if not disappear completely. As Income in this area would increase 200 fold... Each Port would have pyramid of jobs, starting at top with Port and cascading out going to bottom with upper links needing lower branched out structure to support. Everyone would have a very important Job.

Of course this would all depend on Thai Residents agreeing to work! (I am not saying there is issue here in this regard, but it is same in Every Country... We have people who would not work regardless what the Benefits were. There would need to be a clause to decrease Welfare Benefits if Employment was available and Resident's refused Employment. As they would have first opportunity at available Jobs) Thai would be at top of employment list to be offered Jobs, 1st in line! If they cannot fill jobs, because not want to work... Then Thailand would suffer from Loss of Face! Asean would then see what Thailand is made-up of... Government would finally see true Spirit of its Citizens!!

Could you please detail what "Welfare Benefits" you are referring to.

Think about it... Reduced Medical... Dental... Government Housing at reduce cost... They have same problem as western and European Countries, and would need to learn how to handle them. Start out showing a correct path and not willing to be swayed would go along way. Wouldn't be plagued with issues America has as example. There is no bashing here just good Honest Concern"

[davidstipek]

Singapore is a logistics hub which takes in containers and reloads them on outbound ships (i.e. a ship containing shipments from India (and others) for China, Taiwan, Japan, Vancouver, Los Angeles, etc.) is then taken off and put back on ships that are laden with shipments for one destination.

As such I am wondering if the same thing could not be accomplished with building a port on one side and one on the other side with strong rail connections over those 50 miles (maybe even automated). I would think that just routing ships through the canal would not challenge Singapore since they would still be going through Singapore for unloading/reloading. The canal will also be very restricted on the number of ships going through at once (much more than the straights - which they say are congested).

This would be a Great Idea.... compared to digging a Canal. 2 new Ports, one on each side... with dual Train Rails, so there is always one going and one coming... No need to wait for track to clear. Multiple trains could be outbound from either Port at same time. If Rail direction is always same, safety of no possible collisions. Have new employment for southern residents in both Rail Unit, Port Unit, Loading Trains also unloading. This would move people from populated areas to settle here. Residential Building projects would benefit from the construction of new homes... Train yards for parking of multiple trains at each port with support personnel. Bangkok by rail to either Port. Also could link Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam by rail to either Port. Malaysia could build rail to Western Port. I have not touched on the Military Implications that would Benefit from this if it was a multiple rail project and Rail Hub...

Plus look at the Ecological Damage it would save!!!

Yes this would hurt Singapore.... but we are Thailand... We need to settle some conflicts here and this would be a big move in this direction. Creating jobs, many new opportunities for new employment! I think Sothern Thailand infractions against the Government would diminish, if not disappear completely. As Income in this area would increase 200 fold... Each Port would have pyramid of jobs, starting at top with Port and cascading out going to bottom with upper links needing lower branched out structure to support. Everyone would have a very important Job.

Of course this would all depend on Thai Residents agreeing to work! (I am not saying there is issue here in this regard, but it is same in Every Country... We have people who would not work regardless what the Benefits were. There would need to be a clause to decrease Welfare Benefits if Employment was available and Resident's refused Employment. As they would have first opportunity at available Jobs) Thai would be at top of employment list to be offered Jobs, 1st in line! If they cannot fill jobs, because not want to work... Then Thailand would suffer from Loss of Face! Asean would then see what Thailand is made-up of... Government would finally see true Spirit of its Citizens!!

I like your post. Grand ideas. Why the Thai bash at the end?

No Bashing just a good Honest Concern that if opportunity arose here like this... As other countries in the world citizens have learned how to play the System... Thai are no different. If setup with a set of ideas and not just monitored... But worked They would possibly see the Phrase "Or they are Thai... Thai would never do things as this" is a misconstrued concept. From visiting other countries they have learned how to evade the system (as done in America...) "How many visitors to other Countries are there with expired Passports... How many are using a borrowed SS Number... Borrowed work, health permits??? List goes on. Then who gets ripped here when they stay beyond their Visa???

Not Bashing anyone just feel the need to openly state the facts... Thailand needs to check as example Passports of Citizens who have exited the County and follow up on their status.... Other Countries have same issues! But fact is Thailand is not the perfect group of Nationals, as our Elected Official's here want us to believe. They need to understand that and what ever they do, install safeguards that habits formed elsewhere are not used here.....

Edited March 30, 2015 by davidstipek

[micmichd]

Just to get it straight:

Do you mean you hire a Thai specialist for a certain job, and then someone else is doing the work?

Edited March 31, 2015 by micmichd

[pegman]

Singapore is a logistics hub which takes in containers and reloads them on outbound ships (i.e. a ship containing shipments from India (and others) for China, Taiwan, Japan, Vancouver, Los Angeles, etc.) is then taken off and put back on ships that are laden with shipments for one destination.

As such I am wondering if the same thing could not be accomplished with building a port on one side and one on the other side with strong rail connections over those 50 miles (maybe even automated). I would think that just routing ships through the canal would not challenge Singapore since they would still be going through Singapore for unloading/reloading. The canal will also be very restricted on the number of ships going through at once (much more than the straights - which they say are congested).

This would be a Great Idea.... compared to digging a Canal. 2 new Ports, one on each side... with dual Train Rails, so there is always one going and one coming... No need to wait for track to clear. Multiple trains could be outbound from either Port at same time. If Rail direction is always same, safety of no possible collisions. Have new employment for southern residents in both Rail Unit, Port Unit, Loading Trains also unloading. This would move people from populated areas to settle here. Residential Building projects would benefit from the construction of new homes... Train yards for parking of multiple trains at each port with support personnel. Bangkok by rail to either Port. Also could link Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam by rail to either Port. Malaysia could build rail to Western Port. I have not touched on the Military Implications that would Benefit from this if it was a multiple rail project and Rail Hub...

Plus look at the Ecological Damage it would save!!!

Yes this would hurt Singapore.... but we are Thailand... We need to settle some conflicts here and this would be a big move in this direction. Creating jobs, many new opportunities for new employment! I think Sothern Thailand infractions against the Government would diminish, if not disappear completely. As Income in this area would increase 200 fold... Each Port would have pyramid of jobs, starting at top with Port and cascading out going to bottom with upper links needing lower branched out structure to support. Everyone would have a very important Job.

Of course this would all depend on Thai Residents agreeing to work! (I am not saying there is issue here in this regard, but it is same in Every Country... We have people who would not work regardless what the Benefits were. There would need to be a clause to decrease Welfare Benefits if Employment was available and Resident's refused Employment. As they would have first opportunity at available Jobs) Thai would be at top of employment list to be offered Jobs, 1st in line! If they cannot fill jobs, because not want to work... Then Thailand would suffer from Loss of Face! Asean would then see what Thailand is made-up of... Government would finally see true Spirit of its Citizens!!

I like your post. Grand ideas. Why the Thai bash at the end?

No Bashing just a good Honest Concern that if opportunity arose here like this... As other countries in the world citizens have learned how to play the System... Thai are no different. If setup with a set of ideas and not just monitored... But worked They would possibly see the Phrase "Or they are Thai... Thai would never do things as this" is a misconstrued concept. From visiting other countries they have learned how to evade the system (as done in America...) "How many visitors to other Countries are there with expired Passports... How many are using a borrowed SS Number... Borrowed work, health permits??? List goes on. Then who gets ripped here when they stay beyond their Visa???

Not Bashing anyone just feel the need to openly state the facts... Thailand needs to check as example Passports of Citizens who have exited the County and follow up on their status.... Other Countries have same issues! But fact is Thailand is not the perfect group of Nationals, as our Elected Official's here want us to believe. They need to understand that and what ever they do, install safeguards that habits formed elsewhere are not used here.....

Try a different translation app. This reads like jibberish.