Bangkok Canal Project: PM Backs National Impact Assessment
The ambitious Thai Canal project, a proposed waterway connecting the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, has received a significant boost in support. On February 17th, the Thai Canal Association for Study and Development, led by President General Pongthep Thetprateep, petitioned Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to establish a national committee to further assess the project’s feasibility. The petition was submitted during a government mobile meeting at the Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area in Phatthalung’s Khuan Khanun district.
This renewed effort follows previous attempts to create a 49-member House committee to evaluate the canal’s viability. Although a feasibility study successfully passed the Senate, House discussions were postponed due to lack of quorum. Narong Soomthong, chairman of the 9A Canal Route Feasibility Study Committee, expressed confidence in the current government’s ability to manage the project, explaining the association’s decision to petition the Prime Minister directly. He stressed the petition’s call for a national committee comprising experts from diverse fields, including environmental science, biodiversity, and cultural impact assessment, reflecting the project’s potential complexities and far-reaching consequences.
The proposed 9A Canal Route, often called the Thai Canal, would be a 135-kilometer waterway, 300–400 meters wide, and 15–18 meters deep. This maritime corridor would extend from Ao Luk Port in Krabi’s Ao Luk district on the Andaman Sea, through Trang, Phatthalung, and Nakhon Si Thammarat, terminating at Ban Tha Bon in Songkhla’s Ranot district on the Gulf of Thailand. Its scale rivals other major global waterways, suggesting its potential to significantly alter Southeast Asian maritime trade routes.
Supporters argue the canal will unlock substantial economic benefits for Thailand, particularly for financially disadvantaged regions. Mr. Soomthong highlighted the potential for widespread economic improvement through construction and operation. He projected that the completed canal could handle over 300 billion tonnes of logistics vessels annually, significantly impacting global shipping. The project is also anticipated to create 500,000 to one million new jobs, providing a substantial boost to the Thai economy. In addition to employment, advocates have pledged lifelong compensation for residents in the five affected provinces to mitigate displacement and disruption.
However, the project presents significant engineering challenges and environmental concerns. The impact on delicate marine ecosystems, coastal communities, and biodiversity demands careful consideration. The proposed national committee’s inclusion of environmental and cultural impact experts acknowledges these critical issues. The government’s response to the petition and the subsequent formation of the national committee will be crucial in determining whether the Thai Canal progresses from concept to reality, balancing economic potential with environmental and social responsibility. The project represents a potential turning point for Thailand’s economic and geopolitical landscape, and its future remains a subject of considerable interest and debate.
