The Prime Minister has denied the authenticity of rumors regarding the plan to excavate the Thai Canal, appointed Minister of Defence to declare the government’s standpoint to the NRSA.
Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has assured that there are no plans to excavate the Thai Canal connecting the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand during this government’s term, stating that it is not the right time to proceed this project due to controversy, differing opinions, Southern border conflict, and environmental impacts.
He has said this project would be costly and must be considered very carefully. The Minister of Defence has been appointed to declare this matter to members of the National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA).
The Prime Minister has added he does not wish to see the Thai economy expand through the means of excavating the Thai Canal, but supports economic expansion through the development of agriculture, investment, and infrastructure development to attract foreign investment.
The Thai Canal, also known as Kra Canal or Kra Isthmus Canal, refers to proposals for a canal that would connect the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea
Source: http://thainews.prd.go.th/CenterWeb/NewsEN/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNPOL5905310010025#sthash.dK1ncnVU.dpuf
