The government has brushed aside the idea of setting up a canal system to serve as a freight route linking the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman cost in the South, saying it would cause divisions between people.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan yesterday said the government and the National Council for Peace and Order do not have a policy to develop a canal system in the southern provinces.
The plan would affect national security and pit supporters against opponents of the project, said Gen Prawit.
The National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) members have raised a proposal to connect canals in four southern provinces. The issue was brought to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha's attention.
Former 4th Army Region chief Gen Harn Leenanon is the lead project adviser. The project spans 135km and links Songkhla to Krabi via Phatthalung, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang.