The insane 63-mile mega waterway that would be Asia’s answer to the Suez Canal | World | News
A proposed waterway stretching 102 km (63 miles) is being called Asia’s answer to the Suez Canal. The Thailand Canal project, also known as the Kra Canal, aims to connect the Gulf of Thailand to the Andaman Sea by bypassing the congested Strait of Malacca.
The canal will shorten shipping routes by 1,200 kilometers and save up to six days in transit time for cargo and oil bound for East Asia. The direct route from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific would pass through the Kra Isthmus in Southern Thailand. While backers say the project will create a maritime Silk Road, the project has faced delays for decades, with estimated costs reaching $28bn (£20.7bn). There are also environmental and safety concerns surrounding the project.
The history of this ambitious project dates back to 1677, when King Narai of Thailand first considered a waterway that would connect Songkhla with what is now Myanmar. A number of different proposals have been made in modern times, including Ferdinand de Lesseps, the engineer behind the Suez Canal, who showed interest in the project in the late 19th century.
The most prominent proposal of recent years came in 2015, when a canal was proposed that was 102 kilometers long, 400 meters wide and 25 meters deep. Despite the economic and strategic benefits, including reducing oil shipping distances to Japan and China, the project has faced a number of obstacles.
Besides issues regarding the high cost of the waterway, many countries have expressed concerns about its environmental impact. Others, meanwhile, say the canal poses a security risk because it would separate the four southern provinces from the rest of Thailand.
Although the government said in 2018 that the canal was not a priority, it established a committee to re-examine the project in early 2020. Proposals for the construction of the canal, which will transform trade in the region, are still ongoing.
The Strait of Malacca, located between Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, is considered one of the busiest and most vital shipping lanes in the world. It serves as the main route between Asia and Europe, with over 300 ships passing through it every day.
The Thailand Canal will provide an alternative to the strait by shortening shipping times in the region. This will also help reduce traffic congestion and increase maritime trade for Thailand.
Analysis shows that the canal could change the balance of military presence in the region. Both Malaysia and Singapore will see a decline in shipping traffic with their ports affected.
The Kra Isthmus, the narrowest part of the Malay Peninsula connecting southern Thailand to the Asian mainland, is considered strategically important. After World War II, Thailand and Britain signed agreements that included clauses preventing the canal from being built without Britain’s consent.
Meanwhile, the “land bridge” project is considered a more realistic and urgent alternative to the canal. It will consist of a railway and highway that will enable the transportation of goods between ports.
