Analysis: Thailand’s proposed land bridge project easier than Kra Canal idea, but steep challenges await

Assoc Prof Antonio L Rappa from the School of Business at the Singapore University of Social Sciences described the venture as “simply too costly” and cautioned that the separatist movement in Thailand’s restive south as well as the mountainous terrain of the project location could affect the construction.

However, if it is successfully developed, Dr Rappa told CNA “it will significantly affect Singapore at least 50 years from now”.

The land bridge project was also studied during the previous government of Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, who wished to expand Thailand’s transport infrastructure and transform the country into a logistics hub of Asia.

THE LAND BRIDGE AND ITS PREDECESSOR KRA CANAL

The idea of creating a new maritime route by connecting the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea is nothing new. 

Historical evidence shows the concept dates back to the 17th century, when the excavation of the Kra Isthmus – the narrowest part of the Malay Peninsula in Ranong and Chumphon – was explored. 

For decades, various governments have attempted and failed to dig the so-called Kra Canal. 

According to Dr Yuttaporn Issarachai, a political scientist from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, the proposed excavation has been hindered by domestic politics and concerns about its impact on the environment as well as internal security.

Although the land bridge project does not involve a canal, he said it is a relatively similar idea and could face a lot of challenges, including geopolitical conflicts.

He pointed out how maritime territorial spats involve several countries such as China, Vietnam and the Philippines, and by building a new maritime passage way located near the disputed area, Thailand could be affected.

“It won’t be easy,” Dr Yuttaporn told CNA. “It could push Thailand into territorial disputes in the South China Sea. We can’t forget that maritime shipping routes involve tremendous economic profits and political stability in the region.”

However, Dr Mohd Hazmi Mohd Rusli from the Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia’s Faculty of Syariah and Law said the land bridge project could take off “if China as the main stakeholder is adamant to invest”.

A land bridge, he added, would be more feasible than a canal as it would not involve digging through the Kra Isthmus.

“The Panama or the Suez Canal… can shave off thousands of miles of voyage. However, the proposed Thai Canal (Kra Canal) could only shave off hundreds of miles,” he said.