From the Kra Canal to the Landbridge: Myths and Realities
About the Webinar
The proposed landbridge mega-project in Thailand represents a modern twist on the long-standing vision of the Kra Canal, a concept first conceived in the 17th century. The Kra Canal, aimed at creating a shortcut between the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, has historically been mired in economic, political, and environmental debates. Despite the canal never materializing, the idea continues to evolve, now reimagined as a landbridge project. The current project proposal involves the development of an integrated transportation corridor that includes highways, railways, and ports, to facilitate efficient cargo movement between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Supporters of the landbridge claim that the project will bring substantial economic benefits, regional connectivity, and geopolitical advantages. However, there are significant challenges, including environmental concerns, financial viability, and political opposition. This webinar will explore the enduring allure of the Kra Canal vision through the lens of the contemporary landbridge project, analyzing its potential impacts and obstacles.
About the Speaker
Professor Ruth Banomyong is currently the Chairman of the Advisory Board to the Thai Minister of Commerce and a former Dean at the Faculty of Commerce & Accountancy (Thammasat Business School), Thammasat University in Thailand. He received his PhD in 2001, in the field of International Logistics within the Logistics & Operations Management Section (LOMS) at the Cardiff Business School (UK). In 2024, he was appointed as a board member of the Port Authority of Thailand and Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor Development Zone.
He was the winner of the James Cooper Cup in 2001 for the best PhD dissertation in logistics from the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport (CILT) in the United Kingdom. In 2016, Supply Chain Asia (Singapore) awarded the prize of supply chain educator of the In 2021, the Industrial Engineering & Operations Management (IEOM) Society awarded him with the Distinguished Educator Award in 2021. The National Research Council of Thailand (NCRT) awarded him with the National Outstanding Researcher Award in the field of Economics for 2022. Ruth’s main research interests are in the field of multimodal transport, international logistics, trade facilitation, logistics development policy, supply chain performance and humanitarian supply chains. He has published over 100 papers and reports in scientific journals and has co-authored more than 10 books.
Registration
This webinar will be delivered online entirely. To join us, please register here to receive your unique link.
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