Kra Canal (1824-1910): The Elusive Dream Linking the Andaman sea and the Gulf of Thailand with a maritime canal is not a new idea. The Kra Canal was first proposed by King Narai of Ayutthaya (1629-1688) in 1677. However after four centuries, despite various endeavors – surveys, feasibility studies and concessions given the proposed Kra Canal remained on the drawing board. For some, this perennially-shelved project is an elusive dream for Thailand and the world. They cite the proposed canal could revitalize Thailand’s global position, while others feel the Kra Canal is a totally non-viable project that would save neither time nor solve any of Thailand’s economic woes. Worse still, detractors argue, the project will fail to uplift the local economy of southern Thailand. Balancing both schools of thoughts, the Kra Canal – if constructed – would join the ranks of the world’s busiest and most important canal projects. The Suez Canal and the Panama Canal faced numerous challenges and hurdles in their planning, excavation and construction. But, unlike the Kra Canal, these canals were successfully excavated and are in operation today.- Akademika 82(1) 2012: 71-80 Clarence Ngui Yew Kit
Posted on: Thu, 27 Jun 2013 21:42:09 +0000
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