Mega Canal Plans To Link Indian And Pacific Oceans

The Sydney Morning Herald has ran a report suggesting that a plan is in place to build the Asian equivalent of the Panama Canal in Thailand.

The report states that "A group of influential, retired Thai generals, politicians, academics and businessmen with close links to China, have revived plans to construct the 135 kilometre canal across southern Thailand to link the Indian and Pacific oceans".

The cost is thought to be in the region of 28 billion US dollars for the waterway, which would be known as the Kra Canal.

If the plan got approval, it would save two or three days sailing times for ships by cutting the journey by 1,200 kilometres.

Ships from China, Japan and other Asian nations could use the route as they sail to the oil rich Middle East and beyond.

The plan would be to reduce the ships sailing through the Malacca Strait, which saw a record 84,000 vessels pass through it last year. The ambitious proposal could be funded by China's Belt and Road or Maritime Silk Road initiatives, which may influence any decisions from the Thai government.

The idea of building the canal is still very much in the development stages as Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, would firstly have to approve a feasibility study.

Should construction ever get underway though, it would be a huge boost to the Thai economy both during construction and once complete, bringing an abundance of jobs with the project.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald Content: TPVS