PM, a plan and a canal

PM, a plan and a canal

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has taken the right steps over the latest resurrection of the Kra Canal. But that doesn't mean he's going to get much support or win over public opinion on the matter. By ordering two new studies into updated proposals for building the canal, he will get criticism from both sides. Proponents of what they want to call the "Thai Canal" think he is taking too long and opponents of the proposal believe he should do nothing.

The idea of excavating a canal across lower Thailand's Kra Peninsula is the country's oldest civil works idea to never be implemented. Yet the many false starts and the cast of characters involved probably deserve a history book of their own. It would include Thai kings, more engineering than a degree course, foreign advisers and businessmen galore. The atmosphere has run from high enthusiasm to moody scepticism, with everything in between. At one point, a completely serious proposal put on the table called for excavation of the east-west Kra Canal by nuclear explosion.

So, it has been quite a ride from the first proposal. We know how old the Kra Canal idea is -- 341 years. It was King Narai who sent his chief engineer, Frenchman de Lamar, to the South in 1677 with instructions to do the first actual study on such a project. The king's advisers had raised the possibility of quick and continuing wealth in trade if there were a canal connecting Songkhla province and Myanmar. On paper and in conversation, the benefits of the plan are irrefutable.

Monsieur de Lamar reported back to Ayutthaya with pretty much the same message as the author of every study since. It was technically feasible to build such a canal but there would be problems. The Frenchman convinced King Narai that these problems far outweighed any possible returns on the investment. It was the same conclusion reached 120 years later by the brother of King Rama I when he looked at the studies he commissioned. Of course, among the hundreds of reports, studies and recommendations since the 18th century, many have sung the praises of such a project. But no spade of dirt has been turned.

Currently, one group in particular is pressing for the construction to go ahead and has made clear that it wants to call the project the "Thai Canal" to stress nationalism as yet another positive reason. As noted in yesterday's Bangkok Post, its chief spokesman is Gen Thawatchai Samutsakorn. Since retiring honourably from the position of commander of the 2nd Army Region, Gen Thawatchai has become the public front of what members call the Thai Canal Association.

The 21st-century argument for the Thai Canal is this: An artificial waterway from northern Trang province to southern Nakhon Si Thammarat would be immediately immensely profitable. Shipping now using the Malacca Straits would instantly divert to the Kra Peninsula. By transiting Thailand instead of going around the Malaysian peninsula, shippers would save more than a day, and tens of thousands of dollars. Bonus incentive: No Indonesian or Malay pirates.

Gen Prayut is obviously not convinced. He has ordered yet another environmental impact assessment from the National Economic and Social Development Board. He also wants an up-to-date security study and briefing from the National Security Council. Perhaps by coincidence, but probably not, this allows the prime minister breathing space while Gen Thawatchai's group and environmentalists argue the pros and cons of the canal.

It's clear there are far more reasons to build the Kra Canal than not. At the same time, environmental issues must be carefully considered. Gen Prayut is correct that the time is not ripe to proceed. But in due course, perhaps within months, it should be.

Editorial

Bangkok Post editorial column

These editorials represent Bangkok Post thoughts about current issues and situations.

Email : anchaleek@bangkokpost.co.th

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