BRI - Isthmus of Kra in discussion

 Meanwhile Thailand is revisiting the Isthmus of Kra project, that had been talked about for decades. Probably building a canal just like Panana is not in the plan, but building two ports on either side of the Isthmus with road and rail connections is the intention. This is said to provide another alternative, just in case the Straits of Malacca is blockaded. China should be interested in the project.

Hard to tell at this time, but there will be opposition from countries with vested interest in keeping the Straits of Malacca as the only passage for trade between China and Europe, Middle East and Africa. And therein will come all the reasons, including environment issues, to stop the project.

By the way, it seems the Panana Canal is now facing a big problem - water. That sounds illogical. But water for the locks to work comes from Gatun Lake, a freshwater lake, to raise and lower ships transversing the canal, on top of providing water to its citizens. It is reported that the amount of freshwater released into the sea each time a vessel goes through the canal is a big drain on the lake, what with climate change affecting the water level.

And there were also loose talk of Nicaragua looking at the possibility of digging another canal across the land. China should be interested in this as well.

Anonymous