$21.2 Billion Canal Proposed

Thailand is expected to begin construction soon of a $21.2 billion canal from the Indian Ocean to the Gulf of Thailand which would allow ships to bypass Malaysia and Singapore, Reuters reported. Thai Science Minister Arthit Urairath was quoted as saying the Kra Canal could start in the next three years. It quoted other officials, academics and bankers as saying the project could be approved as early as this year. Plans for a canal across the narrow strip of southern Thailand north of peninsula Malaysia have been under consideration for many decades but the idea has always been shelved on grounds of cost or risk to the environment.But Arthit said there was no longer any real objection to the project which he said would benefit the whole country. The cost of the project was estimated at $21.2 billion. Officials said it could be completed in six years.