Mint Explainer: Is Thailand’s proposed Kra Canal a strategic game changer

livemint.com:

The proposed Thai Canal, often referred to as the Kra Canal, has been a subject of considerable discussion and analysis due to its potential impact on global trade routes. If realized, this canal would offer an alternative to the Straits of Malacca, a critical maritime passageway that currently serves as a conduit for a significant portion of global trade. China, which heavily relies on the Malacca Straits for its maritime trade, has shown considerable interest in the project.

An alternative route could diversify Beijing's options, reduce maritime traffic bottlenecks, and cut transit times and costs. Some analysts have, however, speculated that the creation of the canal could create problems for India. A look at this project.

The plan is to create a sea passage through the southern part of Thailand to link the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand. In doing so, the country will create a new route to ease the burden on the crowded Malacca Straits, which is nearby and through which a significant chunk of global trade passes. While the idea of creating such a canal has been around for decades, it received huge interest globally after China took an interest in the project.

The development of an alternative to the Malacca Straits would help China resolve what it calls its “Malacca Dilemma". Experts have argued that China’s reliance on the Malacca Straits for its supply of energy and trade render it vulnerable to military pressure by competitors, who may, among other things, blockade the Straits. Such a canal would also offer economic benefits since it would allow the faster flow of goods than the Malacca Strait, which is often crowded.