Thailand’s 28 Billion Dollar Mega Canal Project

The Strait of Malacca, which has been located between the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra for centuries, Between the Indian and Pacific Oceans It has become one of the most important passages.

But this is Thailand will completely bypass the throat is planning a canal project. This project will affect not only Thailand, but the entire region and world trade routes.

The Strait of Malacca serves as the shortest sea route to the major economies of East Asia, namely China, Japan and South Korea.

through this waterway More than 90,000 ships pass annually and ships account for 30% of world trade. This region is a strategic point where even the United States maintains a permanent military presence.

However, this narrow passage can sometimes become overcrowded and endanger maritime traffic. Thailand to solve this problem plans to build a new canal. The canal will relieve maritime traffic by completely bypassing the Strait of Malacca.

The Kra Isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting the Malay Peninsula to the Asian mainland.

The area has been considered for the construction of a canal since the 17th century. But the lack of modern engineering capabilities and due to political obstacles This project was never implemented.

In 2005, China agreed to build this canal. Financing, construction and management support to Thailand he offered. In 2015, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the two countries for the construction of this mega project.

The proposed route of the canal runs from Krabi province on the Andaman Sea to Songkhla on the Gulf of Thailand. An area of ​​128 kilometers It covers.

There are great advantages that the channel will bring.

The biggest benefit of this canal is that ships can travel between the South China Sea and the Andaman Sea. will shorten travel time by three days and will save 1,200 kilometers of travel. Additionally, thanks to this channel, Thailand can become a global logistics center like Singapore.

However, the project also has major disadvantages. social and environmental costs will be quite high. Approximately 60,000 people will be displaced and local vegetation and marine life will be severely damaged.

Time will tell whether the project will be realized or not. Do you think this canal will be built?

Our other content that may interest you: