Canal project has potential
Re: "Industry titans look for continuity", (Business, Sept 6) & "Land bridge a disaster in waiting", (Editorial, June 22).
Among Southeast Asian nations, Thailand alone has a transport corridor project with a truly global impact: the Kra Canal.
The proposed waterway -- linking the Gulf of Thailand to the Andaman Sea -- has been contemplated by successive governments since 1677, at least 10 times.
Yet its potential to elevate Thailand's international standing has too often been overlooked, especially amid today's combustible geopolitics and changing world order.
During Britain's maritime heyday -- when it dominated major global shipping routes, including the Strait of Malacca -- the Kra Canal's disruptive potential was clear enough that the United Kingdom tried twice to dissuade Siam from building it.
In 1897, Thailand and the British Empire agreed not to build a canal so that the regional dominance of the harbour of Singapore would be maintained.
Yet there is little indication that Thai governments have recognised the potential impact this project could have on Thailand's influence on the global stage.
The Kra Canal could easily serve as a flagship project within China's Belt and Road Initiative.
The project has the potential to match the impact and importance of any world-scale infrastructure projects today.
Given today's world geopolitical situation, the need to strengthen Thailand's national security for the coming decades, and a dire need for a major economic stimulus, there is no better time to revive and implement the Kra Canal project.
ML Saksiri Kridakorn
War never changes
Re: "Gaza war phase", (PostBag, Sept 13),
I ask: In World War II, did the Allies, largely responsible for the freedoms and peace enjoyed today, simply stop bombing the enemy because of the number of civilian casualties and allow the enemy time to rebuild their strength and launch further attacks later?
No, they did not.
Please note that after more than two years of restrained fighting, Israel is still being subject to terrorist attacks from within Gaza.
To bring the conflict to its quickest and decisive end, the Israeli military forces must employ the very same strategy which brought an end to World War II.
If you're not there and haven't experienced it, might I suggest you refrain from apportioning blame?
If you're not willing to go there and join the fight, on either side, refrain from taking sides.
Sibeymai
New format hits the spot
I am retracting my earlier negative comments about the revised format of your newspaper for which your readers now pay more.
I now enjoy my new daily mental exercise while finding Life's crossword and Target word game in the depths of the Business section having hurriedly scanned the main bit where the depressing local and international news remain largely unchanged.
No comment about sport.
But I digress, in an Alice in Wonderland sort of way, after finishing the now located Life I then have to return to the front page to digest the Business news (to get my money's worth).
In a way this is a useful exercise in giving the brain a workout to stave off the onset of dementia (see above).
I would like to thank your designers for the clever way in which they have made me pay more attention to such riveting fiscal goings on.
By the way, owing to my newly acquired knowledge, why do the international exchange rates in the printed Business section differ from those on your website almost daily? Somewhat odd.
Doubt I would have noticed before your redacting diligence.
Ellis O'Brien
