PM Prayut stresses no plan for Thai Canal construction

[webfact]

PM stresses no plan for Thai Canal construction

BANGKOK, 1 June 2016 (NNT) – The Prime Minister has denied the authenticity of rumors regarding the plan to excavate the Thai Canal, appointed Minister of Defence to declare the government’s standpoint to the NRSA.

Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has assured that there are no plans to excavate the Thai Canal connecting the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand during this government’s term, stating that it is not the right time to proceed this project due to controversy, differing opinions, Southern border conflict, and environmental impacts.

He has said this project would be costly and must be considered very carefully. The Minister of Defence has been appointed to declare this matter to members of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA).

The Prime Minister has added he does not wish to see the Thai economy expand through the means of excavating the Thai Canal, but supports economic expansion through the development of agriculture, investment, and infrastructure development to attract foreign investment.


-- NNT 2016-06-01

[jamesbrock]

Yet more proof that this guy just doesn't get it...

...but supports economic expansion through the development of agriculture, investment, and infrastructure development to attract foreign investment.

Surely building the canal would support economic expansion by attracting foreign (Chinese) investment, and, as a nation-building infrastructure project, would develop the agriculture industry?

The Kra-Canal could be of an enormous economical benefit to Thailand and it could become a centre of gravity for trade between the Pacific and Indian Ocean. The plan is to develop an industrial zone for heavy industry, including dry-dock and ship-building facilities and a deep-sea port at the canal entrances. This would make the Kra-Canal the ideal and major transhipment port for Asia, comparable to Europort in Rotterdam. [http://www.iims.org.uk/kra-canal-project/]

That being said, despite the incessant protests from the junta, the news from China is that it's all but a done deal:

A memorandum of cooperation among various enterprises on the construction of Kra Canal in Thailand has been signed in Guangzhou China. [https://chinadailymail.com/2015/05/17/china-announces-strategically-important-kra-isthmus-canal-in-thailand/]

[aussieinthailand]

Yet more proof that this guy just doesn't get it...

...but supports economic expansion through the development of agriculture, investment, and infrastructure development to attract foreign investment.

Surely building the canal would support economic expansion by attracting foreign (Chinese) investment, and, as a nation-building infrastructure project, would develop the agriculture industry?

The Kra-Canal could be of an enormous economical benefit to Thailand and it could become a centre of gravity for trade between the Pacific and Indian Ocean. The plan is to develop an industrial zone for heavy industry, including dry-dock and ship-building facilities and a deep-sea port at the canal entrances. This would make the Kra-Canal the ideal and major transhipment port for Asia, comparable to Europort in Rotterdam. [http://www.iims.org.uk/kra-canal-project/]

That being said, despite the incessant protests from the junta, the news from China is that it's all but a done deal:

A memorandum of cooperation among various enterprises on the construction of Kra Canal in Thailand has been signed in Guangzhou China. [https://chinadailymail.com/2015/05/17/china-announces-strategically-important-kra-isthmus-canal-in-thailand/]

Dammit you beat me to it. But wait,,,

Who's idea was this canal before the junta got it's fingers in the cookie jar? I've heard it was some bloke now in Dubai?

Edited June 1, 2016 by aussieinthailand

[bobmac10]

This denial of course means nothing.

[simon43]

Who's idea was this canal before the junta got it's fingers in the cookie jar? I've heard it was some bloke now in Dubai

Not unless he was born in the 17th century

[jamesbrock]

Who's idea was this canal before the junta got it's fingers in the cookie jar? I've heard it was some bloke now in Dubai

Not unless he was born in the 17th century

Indeed:

The idea was first mooted by Siamese King Narai as far back as 1677.

Every so often the idea resurfaces, for example in the 1870s, after the Suez Canal demonstrated that a man-made canal was viable.

The 1946 Anglo-Thai treaty forbade the Siamese government from building such a canal without prior agreement of the British government.

The British deemed the canal a threat to the dominance of Singapore - then a British colony - as a regional shipping hub.

The idea was revived in the 1950s and the 1970s, and the thread was picked up in the 1980s by the Japanese. It made an appearance every decade or so, and often when a new administration comes into power in Thailand.

As China's economy boomed, the Thais have turned to the Chinese to lend support the project.

Proponents of the project continue to push for it. Last year, businessman Pakdee Tanapura, a member of a Kra Canal Committee, told The Straits Times that the canal could be part of China's Maritime Silk Route,which is aimed at improving connectivity and trade through the South China Sea. [http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/renewed-hype-over-china-thai-canal-project-5-things-about-the-kra-canal]

[tuanku]

Be handy for the Thai navy to move submarines and aircraft carriers from one coast to the other. Mountainous spine of the peninsula would be a challenge though.

[yellowboat]

This denial of course means nothing.

So true.

"The Prime Minister has added he does not wish to see the Thai economy expand through the means of excavating the Thai Canal, but supports economic expansion through the development of agriculture, investment, and infrastructure development to attract foreign investment."

What about the other 67.01million Thais ? What do they want ? How do they want their economy to expand. Here is an idea, vote on it .

Of course, the elite would need time to buy land in the areas where the canal is going to be dug first.

[tuanku]

And in other non-news today, the Thai minister for space stressed there were no plans for a Thai manned mission to Uranus and the chairman of the CDC stressed there were no plans for a return to democracy.

[jamesbrock]

Be handy for the Thai navy to move submarines and aircraft carriers from one coast to the other. Mountainous spine of the peninsula would be a challenge though.

Not just the Thai navy...

As for the mountainous spine, that can be mostly avoided by not choosing the narrowest route across the isthmus. At its narrowest point, the Kra Isthmus only 44 km (27 mi), but across that point the height of the mountainous spine is 75 m (246 ft). The Chinese proposes a 102km route much further to the south, roughly between Satun and Songkhla, which would traverse a natural valley in the mountains along the 406 highway.

Edited June 1, 2016 by jamesbrock

[tuanku]

Be handy for the Thai navy to move submarines and aircraft carriers from one coast to the other. Mountainous spine of the peninsula would be a challenge though.

Not just the Thai navy...

As for the mountainous spine, that can be mostly avoided by not choosing the narrowest route across the isthmus. At its narrowest point, the Kra Isthmus only 44 km (27 mi), but across that point the height of the mountainous spine is 75 m (246 ft). The Chinese proposes a 102km route much further to the south, roughly between Satun and Songkhla, which would traverse a natural valley in the mountains along the 406 highway.

18hici.png

Thanks for your studied reply to my flippant comment. What do think the chances are of this being done? Would be beneficial to China and a smack in the face for Singapore.

[jamesbrock]

Be handy for the Thai navy to move submarines and aircraft carriers from one coast to the other. Mountainous spine of the peninsula would be a challenge though.

Not just the Thai navy...

As for the mountainous spine, that can be mostly avoided by not choosing the narrowest route across the isthmus. At its narrowest point, the Kra Isthmus only 44 km (27 mi), but across that point the height of the mountainous spine is 75 m (246 ft). The Chinese proposes a 102km route much further to the south, roughly between Satun and Songkhla, which would traverse a natural valley in the mountains along the 406 highway.

18hici.png

Thanks for your studied reply to my flippant comment. What do think the chances are of this being done? Would be beneficial to China and a smack in the face for Singapore.

Yes, I did notice an element of flippancy there...

I think the chances of it eventuating are pretty high; according to the International Maritime Bureau in London, the Strait of Malacca are among the most dangerous waters in the world, and with one fourth of internationally traded goods crossing these congested and pirate infested straits—including all the oil and gas that China uses for 80% of its energy requirements—it is a logical answer to China's need. Which might explain why they're pushing it.

That being said, I doubt it will happen while this economic illiterate is ruling the nation.

Of course, then there is the US perspective...

China currently meets 80% of its energy needs by transporting oil and gas through the Strait of Malacca, which is in turn patrolled by Indian and American fleets. The U.S. is already apprehensive about the growing potential of the Chinese navy, and the possibility that it will expand its zones of control worries both military officials and politicians in Washington. Several experts have even expressed the view that China could open its own naval base at Gwadar, Pakistan, since they have already signed an agreement with Pakistani authorities. The ability to pass through the Thai Canal would simplify this task many times over. Such a configuration could undeniably change the balance of power across the entire region in China’s favor, which the U.S. can’t allow to happen for a number of reasons. [http://world-economic.com/articles_wej-342.html]

This is a very interesting article: http://thediplomat.com/2013/12/how-a-thai-canal-could-transform-southeast-asia/

Edited June 1, 2016 by jamesbrock

[retarius]

This is absolutely dumb. A canal could transform the economy of Thailand in a positive way.

[Morakot]

Be handy for the Thai navy to move submarines and aircraft carriers from one coast to the other. Mountainous spine of the peninsula would be a challenge though.

No problem. Has been done before...

Edited June 1, 2016 by Morakot

[Baerboxer]

Dammit you beat me to it. But wait,,,

Who's idea was this canal before the junta got it's fingers in the cookie jar? I've heard it was some bloke now in Dubai?

Was it his idea or was it around before he picked up on it?

That canal, if constructed, would seriously have damaged Singapore as a shipping hub. Rumors were the Singaporean Lee dynasty paid someone in Thailand to make sure it never progressed before. Now do you know who that might be? Perhaps someone close to the Lees, sharing their Sino heritage, and who might have sold them another business for a humongous amount?

[Balance]

Just wait a few years; global warming will take care of it for free.

[deckape]

Be handy for the Thai navy to move submarines and aircraft carriers from one coast to the other. Mountainous spine of the peninsula would be a challenge though.

No problem. Has been done before...

^^ Gets my vote for post of the year.

Not for nothing, that is a real steamboat, and two people died trying to haul that thing over the hill.