BANGKOK: Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-o-cha has reiterated his opposition to a proposal to link the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Siam via a 135km canal in southern Thai.
“I have reaffirmed for 100 times already, there will be no construction (of a canal) at all. So whoever, comes to talk to me (about the proposal), I will say it is not the time,” he told the media after chairing the weekly cabinet meeting here Tuesday.
His Deputy and Defence Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwon has also made a similar statement rejecting the proposal by the National Reform Steering Committee (NRSA) for a canal stretching from Krabi to Songkhla.
The prime minister said that the issue of investment on the canal as well as its “worthiness” must be considered.
As the canal is situated near the conflict areas in southern Thai, Prayuth also questioned the possibility of the link “falling victim” to the ongoing unrest in the provinces.
On the southern Thai peace process, he said that efforts to secure peace must adhere to the country’s constitution, pointing out at the same time that the government was not responsible for the violence.
Facilitated by Malaysia, Bangkok and militants in southern Thai represented by its umbrella body, MARA Patani, have been engaging in several rounds of informal peace talks.