Thailand’s Plan for a $28BN Canal Across Itself

Thailand is considering building a 102 kilometer long canal across itself. Supported by China, the project would bypass the Malacca Strait, saving 1200 kilometers in travel distance, while allowing Chinese vessels to avoid the US military presence in the region. However, it would cost 28 billion dollars and has drawn opposition from Singapore, who is worried the canal would destroy its role as a maritime hub.

#thailand #canal #thaicanal #future #construction #megaproject #china #usa #singapore

[FuturologyChannel]

What do you think? Should Thailand build the canal?

[eduardochavacano]

Singapore will become Singapoor in 8 years, if Thailand will have this canal.

[lunix]

As an Indonesia, trust me. Any projects "backed" by China just means: we give you the idea and pretend that we will be financing you so the people will go along, until they found out that the idea is actually paid by them from their pockets.

[stevens]

This canal is canceled. Thai national news is reporting that the land bridge will be built, north of where the Kra Canal was to be. Look up thailand land bridge for the latest information. Cheers everyone!

[budakPancing]

Thailand not only need a canal. It needs to be cheap and efficient, provide a plethora of marine services including a container port, bunker fuel services and dry docks for maintenances, which Singapore already have.

[sunduncan]

Fun fact: This project was planned since 1677 in the reign of King Narai, the last king of Prasat Thong dynasty of Ayutthaya kingdom. It was the golden age of Siam when Siamese welcomed western travelers (Farang) to Ayutthaya, especially Portuguese and French merchants. If you watch Thai lakorn “Buppe Sannivas” that’s the same age. The canal is still not built til now and becoming a controversy among Thai people whether it’s still worth in modern time and if it will be harmful to the environment because Southern Thailand has many beautiful beaches that are attractive to tourists, and tourism section is very important for Southern Thailand. Beside the canal, there is a land bridge project as well.

[shubashuba]

China: This canal will cost $28 billion.

Thailand: Double it and give it to the next person.

[estchu]

Thailand will have some security concerns.
1. The canal cuts Thailand in two. The lower portion will face rise of separatism.
2. Canal will serve largely to China which will throw the kichen sink to secure it. Sovereignty of the canal may not includive to Thailand. Panama canal is an example.

[vl]

Just the very thought of Southern Thailand breaking away is enough to never see this happen.

[syedasifhussain]

It's support by many other countries as well because it would help other nations like Cambodia, Vietnam

[SteelHex]

It’s a win… for China. They get to bypass the Malaka strait, and the Thai gov’t will owe them so much money the canal will practically be owned by China.

[paulwoida]

The other problem with the canal is how the environments on both ends would change because they are now connected. The water, plants and animals might be different and there could be problems with invasive species.

[mttrocks]

What is actually being proposed is a “land bridge” consisting of deep-water ports on either side, railways, motorways, and oil terminals. This is gonna be cheaper and technically more feasible to do. Canal project will be too expensive, a huge engineering challenge, and last thing they want is to invite geopolitical tensions (US vs. China) into its territory.

[hazlimohamed]

Actually, when Thailand wanting to realize this a couple years back, the Singapore PM came rushing with loads of cash and all of the sudden it was shelve again...

[VallerySablin]

Indonesia will also be affected if the canal is built

[dialecticalmonist]

And suddenly I understand why Singapore matters to the world.

[hhydar]

Not just China, it will also help other countries, saving fuel, time and costs.

[bigbo]

Thailand is also an American partner, so how much China would actually benefit is questionable; it’s likely China is helping fund it in exchange for the classic 99 year lease. They learned it best from the British.

[wannarongchanjumlong]

If this project completed you will never see Singapore in the map of the world we don't even want China to help us to build but we will build it

[WorldIsWierd]

No way Thailand would trust China that much