THE Kra Canal can open vast opportunities for maritime trade in Asian nations. The prospective construction of the canal in the Isthmus of Kra in southern Thailand will herald a new chapter in Asia, especially Southeast Asian economic relations, very much like what the Suez Canal did for Europe and Asia.
The canal will shorten sea routes between East Asia and South Asia, increase trade among littoral states, and boost the fishing industry, tourism and cruise liner business.
The canal does not need the complicated and expensive locks system of the Panama Canal as the South China Sea and the Bay of Bengal are at the same level, thereby reducing construction and operation costs.
Asian nations will be brought closer to one another as never before.
Trade will increase and consumers can expect lower prices as the canal can save costs.
Though envisioned by the British colonial power in the 19th century, it had remained on the drawing board as the costs
could not justify the benefits then and, more importantly, because the canal could become a threat to Singapore, a British colony.
However, now all these considerations have been brushed aside and present-day construction technology and the easy availability of funds can make the canal a reality.
Recently, the media reported that China is interested in the construction of the canal.
There is an urgency to construct the canal due to the huge maritime trade between the east Asian economies of China, Ja-pan, South Korea, Taiwan, the Southeast Asian nations and the Indian sub-continent.
It will be better if the canal was jointly built through investments from the Southeast Asian governments, and India together with China.
The canal could be renamed the Asean Canal to reflect its geographic position and its importance to Southeast Asia.
In keeping with the Zone of Peace, Freedom and Neutrality concept of Asean, the canal should not be used by warships or military vessels, except during emergencies and natural disasters.
The disputed South China Sea islands as well as the Andaman and Nicobar islands could acquire greater strategic value as they occupy commanding positions on the routes leading to the canal.
The Straits of Malacca is becoming congested and dangerous due to heavy maritime traffic. It is also polluted and causing problems to Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.
Additionally, coastal communities that depend on fishing have been imperilled due to oil spills and pollution.
The canal will open an alternative to the Straits of Malacca and reduce the problems.
It must also be noted that Singapore is no more dependent on its sea port, as was the case decades before, but has diversified and thus the canal is not going to affect it much.
For Malaysia, it will shorten routes for the northern states and the East Coast Rail Link project will benefit from the opening of the canal.
Penang port could also be one of the beneficiaries.
Myanmar, Indo-China states as well as Bangladesh, eastern
India and Sri Lanka stand to gain.
The Chinese-built under-utilised Colombo harbour could be one of the first to gain from the canal.
India could restart the deepening of the Palk Strait, which was called off due to local political opposition.
This waterway could gain much from the canal.
The canal should have been conceptualised as an Asean initiative, but despite being a 50-year-old grouping, it could not grab the opportunity.
It is regrettable that Asean missed the opportunity as the canal could have come to physically symbolise the Asean community.
Now China is spearheading the project, and Asean and the Indian government (through a Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa collaboration), which stand to gain from the canal, need to make a serious effort to make it a multinational undertaking.
V. THOMAS
Sungai Buloh, Selangor