Thailand to Invest US$27 Billion in 100km Flyover Linking Two Oceans

• 28 November 2023
• Construction Focus
• 13760 Views

In a groundbreaking shift from the initial $27 billion Thai Canal Dredging project, the new Thailand government, led by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, is steering towards a colossal infrastructural endeavour. The transformative initiative involves the construction of a 100-kilometre flyover connecting the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean at Kra Isthmus, abandoning the contentious Kra Canal plan proposed in 2020.

As revealed by a Bangkok Post report on October 17, 2023, the visionary Prime Minister has directed the Ministry of Transport to fast-track the implementation of this monumental project. The elevated highway, complemented by railways and provisions for vehicular traffic, is set to redefine regional logistics, creating strategic economic port links for Thailand and the broader Asian continent.

“The flyover will be an important link for facilitating logistics and freight links between countries around Asia, India, the Middle East, and Africa,” affirmed a Thai government spokesperson. The decision to shift focus from the Kra Canal to a comprehensive flyover and port infrastructure underscores a commitment to sustainable economic growth while mitigating environmental concerns and diplomatic sensitivities.

The colossal land bridge is slated to become a vital shortcut, replacing the longer route through Singapore and Malaysia’s Malacca Strait. Upon completion in 2030, the initial phase of the mega flyover is projected to handle up to 10 million containers annually, with the capacity set to surge to an impressive 40 million units by 2040.

It should be recalled that the Thai government initially planned to dig a canal to connect the two seas, but due to many environmental disputes and dissatisfaction with neighboring countries, especially Singapore and Malaysia, the project was suspended. It was not until the term of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan Ocha in 2020 that the project was proposed as a flyover connecting the two seas instead.

• Projects Development
• Road and Infrastructure