Thai Canal

Kra Canal ( also: Thai - channel or Kra Isthmus Canal, Thai: โครงการ คลอง ไทย ) refers to a planned project to dig a canal across the Isthmus of Kra in southern Thailand, in order to shorten the shipping between Europe and East Asia, similar to the Panama Canal or the Suez Canal.

Early plans

Since the waterway would significantly shortened by the Malay Peninsula by a channel on the isthmus, already King Narai gave in 1677 the French engineer de Lamar commissioned a way to connect Songkhla Marid (now Myanmar) to search. It was found, however, that the technological possibilities of the 17th century were still insufficient for such a project. The desire to protect the western coasts of Siam better by the Navy, was a reflection of the younger brother of King Phra Phutthayotfa Chulaloke ( Rama I ) for a similar compound.

After Burma became a British colony with the Victoria Point ( Kawthaung ) in today's Tanintharyi Division as the southernmost point in 1863 led two British engineers to explore the Isthmus of Kra through, but came to the conclusion that because of the hilly country, a channel was excavated impracticable. In 1868 a French team showed interest, even Ferdinand de Lesseps, the builder of the Suez Canal in 1882 examined the area, but the royal permission for such a project was denied.

Political concerns

The channel plans are also political: The immense importance of the seaport of Singapore is the fact that a large part of East and Southeast Asian cargo ship runs around the Malay Peninsula, Singapore to over and through the Strait of Malacca. Therefore, it was no longer in the British interest if a navigable canal would be built in the Isthmus of Kra. So in 1897 Siam and the British Empire agreed to waive the construction.

Because of the immense cost and also because of the anticipated environmental problems, it is far remained on plans to build either at the narrowest point or further south between Surat Thani and Phangnga this channel. Against some proposals are also speaking from Bangkok view strategic considerations. The planned in the 17th century, northern variant is dangerously close to the present-day border to the centuries-long opponent Burma ( Myanmar), the southernmost variant turn too close to the border with Muslim Malaysia and in the midst of the inhabited part of the Malay rebels border provinces.

Alternatives

Alternatively, a highway or a railway connection in the discussion.

Another alternative is the proposed " energy corridor " between the northern Malaysian port cities Yan ( Kedah State ) and Bachok ( Kelantan state ) is: A project funded by the Chinese, Iranian and Saudi Arabian companies pipeline project is to save the pirates endangered sea route around the Malay Peninsula around oil tankers.