Thailand's proposed land bridge may mean ships bypassing Singapore, but at higher costs

[@leealex24]

Other countries have their right to compete and be better, this is the real world.

[@verycursedplane6557]

And so does Singapore have the right to plan something back to counter them

[@leexianlong6855]

It is unwise for CHT of the PAP to underestimate the economical, social, and geopolitical impact of the land bridge on Singapore. This might be an attempt by China to divide ASEAN and exert influence in the region. If the land bridge is successful, shipping companies may have economical incentives to use it and bypass Singapore. The investments made will go to waste and job losses will greatly impact many Singaporeans. Urge all Singaporean port workers to protest and exert more pressure on the PAP government to do more to protect jobs. Also, call for a cost of living adjustment. Finally, it is highly suspect that CHT would simply brush off the threat without any evidence to say it otherwise. He might have been corrupted by Thai lobby groups or accepted bribes from Thai government representatives to look the other way. CPIB should raid his home and look into all his finances to avoid a repeat of financial embarrassment to the PAP, similar to SI's corruption probe.

[@leealex24]

​@@verycursedplane6557 It applies to all countries. not just Thailand. Every country have the right to compete and be better with one another.

[@leealex24]

​ @verycursedplane6557 It applies to all countries. not just Thailand. Every country have the right to compete and be better with one another.

[@verycursedplane6557]

@@leealex24 yep so nothing wrong for Singapore if we also think of something to counter this in the future also

[@eugp4198]

It's actually not a bad idea as the Straits of Malacca is already very congested and polluted. Thai's land bridge will not take the entire chunk of business away from Singapore and Malaysia, but giving logistic companies more choices. At the end of the day which ever port that provides better efficiency will get the lion share of the business.

[@minyaksayur]

The idea was 100 years old, but they never built it. In the end it's just talk. The king already uses some $30 billion as his personal expenses. If the money was available, he would probably use it also.

[@striker7469]

@@minyaksayur Sampah punya raja. 🤣🤣

[@LonganLee]

Ya, as long as all the rich park money in sg, GDP continue to grow. But I will not sell my backside to earn a living😅

[@vanphan9318]

​@@minyaksayurThe project was not implemented because it was a canal, but the land bridge is very ok and very feasible

[@azlirazli7500]

The initial idea was to build a canal. But due to many factors including security especially the position of malay states at the south, the Thai gov relinquished the idea of canal. The bridge is more sensible to them. However the key factor of success is how efficient the bridge operation in term of time and cost vs what Sg port have already provided. If the bridge proven to be very efficient, the sg port would be history.

[@marktan8074]

I like our minister's style of reply. Addressing the competition rather than attacking the competitor, which seems to be the practice in the neighboring regions.

[@JoyceWee_INFJ-T]

it is not the first time (nor will it be the last) that projects/improvements in other countries will directly or indirectly influence our economic or growth aspects. We just have to stay competitive and be ahead of others. That's how we can survive and stay competitive to be an edge above the rest.

[@hayahkau]

Before this, the only country that can finance this project will be US.. everybody know US will aginst this to save singapore... but today, we have china

[@alfriesmacdonalds5879]

ya but how?

[@s.chaisrisuk4956]

Singapore is never short of cutting edge achievements.

[@hayahkau]

@@s.chaisrisuk4956 because of logistics.. Take out the logistics from the equation, Singapore will have nothing

[@btlim4316]

If this were the USA, it would impose sanctions, sabotage and export controls on Thailand to ensure it does not get built.

[@goldenspoon87]

Building a new port in itself won't be a threat. Just like building a new airport in Bangkok doesn't threaten Changi. It all comes down to level of service and value from a business standpoint.

[@ja_xin]

But what if it is managed by the Chinese like how Toyota/Honda can still produce the same Japan quality cars out of it's Thailand factories?

[@za7v9ier]

plus the integration of bunkering, banking & financial services in SG.

[@woffydo]

For Ships it will be shorter time,

[@CrossbredmiMiyang]

@@ja_xinpolitically the Thais will never allow “foreign influences” on it’s economic policies, knowing the “consequences” if the Chinese toke control, the Americans will take “drastic measures” to prevent as they will never allow anyone to jeopardize their interests and lost control on certain areas especially the important ones.

[@ja_xin]

@@CrossbredmiMiyang Thailand has always been the ultimate expert of allowing the right amount of foreign influences that will keep itself sovereign and unscathed from days of Europeans colonizing the world to Japan in WWII till now.

[@kwanlong19]

As Thai people I think Singapore no need to worry about landbridge because we have a landbridge to main purpose for domestic more than transhipment fight for Singapore.We want many factories or free trade zone to use Thailand to be a hub to contribute product that made in Thailand or oil from Saudiarabia between two penisula. And may be for support over supply of Malacca strait

[@cocaineminor4420]

We are not worried The media is the only one who's worried about this

[@johnny-ih5es]

Another route worth exploring is the Arctic routes, which potentially can be open to commercial shipping during the summer months due to climate changes.

[@johnny-ih5es]

@@mingzmings88 Don't assume.

[@ZagiNoa]

Russia already begun developing the Arctic Route which will reduce the cost and time also distance will be game changer in international trade.

[@oliverimperial5139]

@@ZagiNoa If this is fully developed, The Panama canal would go bankrupt and the Suez canal half as profitable

[@kinsengchan8265]

Presently there's the Malaysian ECRL under development & now with the proposed Thai land bridge; these 2 will definitely dilute the Singapore Port's usage. Kuantan Port & Chumphon Port will surely serve as container distribution hubs. Also, there is the High-Speed Rail link from Malaysia, passing through Thailand & going into China, will cut off Singapore. While these 2 projects will not rob off everything from the S'pore port, they will surely take a huge chunk away. If they are further developed to have pipeline running between their East & West Coast Ports coupled with oil refineries at the East Coast Port, they will also challenge Singapore's oil refineries. Clearly, one can't take these developments lightly & better develop mitigating solutions before it's too late.

[@twl8053]

Is that your take away from this video. The minister already said about the efficiency and feasibility of land bridge. How many containers can ECRL bring across one way? A ship normally have 10,000- 24000 containers. Can have some critical thinking or not.

[@mic5391]

@@twl8053 They are wumao, they have strange logic, don't mind them! they can even tell you their ships can move on land, dont need to unload and reload! And usa have no capability to block them!

[@kinsengchan8265]

There’s 1 important key word that’s missing, i.e. EFFECTIVENESS. Maybe that will give you an idea of the kind of critical thinking I’m practicing. Yes, you’re right that a container ship on liner service would carry 10,000 to 24,000 containers. On the hand a feeder container ship would carry 300 to 1000 containers. The average speed of a freight train is about 75 km./hr.; & each carriage can take 2 containers. So, the 90 km. land bridge is not very far away. The operation of container port is very complicated. There’re many factors to be considered such as where a container is to be located in the marshalling yard, which ship & when it’s supposed to go to, the sequence of loading the container into the ship hold - you don’t want to take out & then put back into the hold & check the heel & trim of the ship so that the container can be taken out of the hold, etc. All these would be required a software for the effective & efficient operation of the 2 ports in tandem & with the rail link connecting to China. The design & construction of the entire system connecting the 2 ports & the rail link will have its problems, but these are not insurmountable. So, please be careful when you wrote, “Can have some critical thinking or not”; you need to know who that individual is first. @@twl8053

[@ytexplorer7977]

Maybe ships will dock and unload faster because queue at ports in Singapore are insanely long.

[@danielc2701]

@@kinsengchan8265 300-1000 containers using your estimates (it's low by the way) means 150-500 carriages. With them as 20 foot units, that is 3000-10000 feet. Your train is going to be 1-3 kilometers long minimum. And that is for ONE small feeder ship. Remember the land bridge is targeting INTERNATIONAL shipping, not local, so multiply that 1-3 km with the difference in ratio. You're talking a lot of wasted cargo movement. This isn't even accounting for the need to refuel ships at the port and turn it around and the nearest source of fuel is, ironically, Singapore. So you're going to have to send a ship down to Singapore anyway sooner or later.

[@kkcheah090766]

The transfer of containers from the vessel to vehicle, transport overland and then to another vessel will increase the risks for damages, theft/loss or misplacement, hence increasing the insurance costs. To balance the weight of the container carriers, the first containers (normally lighter ones and stacked at the top) that were unloaded from the first vessel may not be the first containers to load on the second vessel and hence more time is wasted to wait for heavier containers from the first vessel to be loaded on the next vessel before loading on the lighter ones.

[@sokapokvic2514]

All world-class shipping and vessel company that knows how to run and manage it if they see this project is a great Idea.

[@bank0942]

Don't worry about that. We have high speed trains from China. which supports this project It's not shipping containers. But it's for big companies. Come rent a warehouse. When any company ships, they come and drop new products. We will take the old products to the other side of the sea by train and in Thailand. No one dares to rob the government.

[@adisornphackdeetura7328]

If Thailand is really as dangerous as you mention. Thailand probably isn't the country with the most tourists visiting in the world! I believe there will be no such event.😅

[@besottedbelovedlovely2560]

Yip need more Mam power

[@ruthp2693]

Easy to prevent thief on land compared with pirate on sea. Most of goods from China will come with train to that port soon.

[@BlackSwan-sq2iw]

If you analyze deeper, there are many issues with the proposition. Imagine a container ship easily carries 10000 containers. The ship will have to unload the cargo onto 10000 trucks. Travel to the other end, and then load all the 10000 containers back onto another ship. What about oil or other chemical cargo? The coordination needed to transport to the other end would be even more horrendous. All these costs will pile up. That won't be economically viable.

[@sjv9147s]

I doubt 🤔 the Kra Canal infrastructure will be built anything like Singapore's Rochor Canal.

[@teeteetuu94]

​@@sjv9147sThere's no canal being talked about here. It will be crossing overland by road.

[@sjv9147s]

@@teeteetuu94 Yes. IMHO, nothing short of a water-based canal across the Kra isthmus would suffice to compete effectively with Singapore.

[@carmelo665]

It is not about economically viable, but politically useful. China will then have a better control of Thailand and South China Sea (including the resources under the sea). Really brilliant idea!

[@leexianlong6855]

It is unwise for CHT of the PAP to underestimate the economical, social, and geopolitical impact of the land bridge on Singapore. This might be an attempt by China to divide ASEAN and exert influence in the region. If the land bridge is successful, shipping companies may have economical incentives to use it and bypass Singapore. The investments made will go to waste and job losses will greatly impact many Singaporeans. Urge all Singaporean port workers to protest and exert more pressure on the PAP government to do more to protect jobs. Also, call for a cost of living adjustment. Finally, it is highly suspect that CHT would simply brush off the threat without any evidence to say it otherwise. He might have been corrupted by Thai lobby groups or accepted bribes from Thai government representatives to look the other way. CPIB should raid his home and look into all his finances to avoid a repeat of financial embarrassment to the PAP, similar to SI's corruption probe.

[@laiyinquan8355]

When I first heard of this news a month or two ago, I was actually concerned like the news projected of how this would impact Singapore's maritime trade, which a major branch of our economy ever since Sir Raffles established it in 1819. But now having understood the details of the proposed project by Thailand, shipping companies will have to decide on whether unloading tons of cargo onto trucks, transporting them accrods the land bridge and then loading them onto another ship would be more econmically sound and time-saving than travelling longer but on the same ship and not having the need to unload and load again.

[@Soshiaircon91]

The new route ultimately does not serve as a better one just another alternative in times of uncertainty.

[@monofootballacademy3285]

As Thai people, the landbridge project is hard to success in practical and can't be 15% cheaper than cost for ships to get thorough Singapore. And high potential the 4 days saving time may never exist considering operation process, that's mean it's slower and more expensive in the end. For me it must be only canal project if Thailand can share prosperity of maritime from Singapore. But canal is hard to happen since military may never allow it to happen.

[@aoffer6219]

As a Thai,we have a landbridge to main purpose for domestic more than transhipment fight for Singapore.We want many factories or free trade zone such as EEC and SEC to use Thailand to be a hub to contribute product that made in Thailand or oil from Saudiarabia between two penisula. And may be for support over supply of Malacca strait.

[@LonganLee]

The land bridge is Planet Friendly as it saves a lot of oil burnt on ships and maybe our China goods purchased can reach sg faster?

[@stephenomenal29]

I think is healthy competition but the key is how they can maintain the port because it took decades for PSA to establish itself.Building vs Maintaining it with solid governance is not easy.welcome this though to encourage a greater trade in the whole region😊

[@jqwoo]

Be sensible and think with the following evaluations: 1) Ships for Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Philippines will not gain any cost saving (China is the only one benefit for cost/time saving?) 2) Ships going through Malacca ST. for detestations in 1) may be 700 km more, which is less than 24 hours journey only! 3) Cost saving of 24 hours vs transit cost and time saving may not be significant. Expensive goods usually by air! 4) Corruptions may be common to build such canal, so the cost will be much higher.

[@VST88888]

As a Thai, having witness how our government handles such projects. It is undoubtedly that this project is just gonna be a cash burn... talking about bad planning and execution + major loophole for corruption which eventually lead to abandonment.

[@ตายายใจดี]

Damn right! Fancy dream of corrupted former military priminister who damaged thai economy during his nine years terms.as for land bridge is suited for local fishermen only not for internations shipping transportation at all

[@CrossbredmiMiyang]

This plan first appeared was more than 100 of years ago by the them British and the French government, they lack no funding nor the technical expertise but it’s the difficulties they may face having to manage and control firmly in their hands, as they realize the Thais in that area are rather hostile, if they loose control it may fall into others.

[@leexianlong6855]

It is unwise for CHT of the PAP to underestimate the economical, social, and geopolitical impact of the land bridge on Singapore. This might be an attempt by China to divide ASEAN and exert influence in the region. If the land bridge is successful, shipping companies may have economical incentives to use it and bypass Singapore. The investments made will go to waste and job losses will greatly impact many Singaporeans. Urge all Singaporean port workers to protest and exert more pressure on the PAP government to do more to protect jobs. Also, call for a cost of living adjustment. Finally, it is highly suspect that CHT would simply brush off the threat without any evidence to say it otherwise. He might have been corrupted by Thai lobby groups or accepted bribes from Thai government representatives to look the other way. CPIB should raid his home and look into all his finances to avoid a repeat of financial embarrassment to the PAP, similar to SI's corruption probe.

[@Iceyfire12]

@@leexianlong6855Singapore would do fine without the Ports! If you rely on the Ports then that’s your Problem! Thailand should be able to have Multiple Ways to become an Option on the Global Trade!

[@nanonano2595]

@@leexianlong6855 protest what? you want singapore to do what? invade thailand?

[@odin5166]

Singapore is one of USA naval base and in the worst scenario Malacca straits will be blocked. So a land bridge is good as an alternative for China and Thailand .

[@kstang3052]

Being an ALLY with a country who was aggressively involved with sanction, smears, and wars. It’s really a threat to others. Sovereignty must be adopted instead, and never use your land for military purpose for other country. Worst, US is so very far from Asia yet has created so many conflicts and wars in ASIA, in the name of freedom for their own self interest and wealth.

[@mic5391]

You mean the USA cannot block the thailand land link? You sure.

[@Andromeda365]

Malacca strait will not be blocked, and if it ever was South korea, Taiwan and Japan would be affected more than china. Plus, china would stop all ships from existing to the side it has the advantage on.

[@markc6140]

Nothing is impossible if BRI is involved. More travel options for good to be transported in the event something happens Malacca Straits.

[@paaome]

Singapore have a huge port though. This meant that it take advantage as a logistics hub of Southest Asian region for decades, and vice versa. Now it's time for Thailand to gain the volumes back.

[@casey7057]

China has already build a canal from Quanxi province to Hangchow a distance of 135 kms and at the cost of USD12 billion and help in the construction of an artificial river in Afghanistan, therefore a canal across Kra isthmus in Thailand is not a problem.

[@xianshi8896]

Singapore and USA don't like it.

[@albertharris7980]

Building time, cost , KPI and how efficient ?

[@datianlongan5567]

Relax, they can't ship a tanker full of crude across Thailand, unless they also add a pipeline at huge cost along the land bridge.

[@KickbackTra]

Anything for their economy im sure they can make it happen

[@happymelon7129]

This is about the safety of China 1.4 billion people from U$A threat . NOT cost. All because of U$A threaten to block Malacca strait . After U$A confisticxte/lxot oil tanker to China , China stared to build island(guard post) along its shipping route. To protect the energy/resources for its 1.4 billion people.

[@Utube1024]

Pipe lines for what. China already had the pipelines at Gwader Port. Well unless the Thai willing to pay for it.

[@datianlongan5567]

China is a big country. Gwadar port will be able to send a small amount to western China while most tankers still unload their cargo at Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in eastern China.@@Utube1024​

[@thanpisittadsri2027]

A motorway + double track + pipeline, these are in our plan. Huge cost yes, a worthy one especially if China-US war breaks out.

[@twl8053]

I would love to see the sight of 10k containers travelling across at once. It can become a tourist attraction. Maybe can even sleep there because the containers are line up in a straight line and need 5hrs to see finish and it’s only for 1 ship.

[@Tekhelet75]

Haha

[@N.biebie8428]

trucks, trains and yeah they got oil pipes too for natural gas and oil

[@xmen2130]

The Chinese in Thailand are mainly teochew, good business sense.

[@ILUVBAKKUA]

allowing for an alternative sea route whether it's a land bridge or even a canal may actually be good for Singapore's security especially in a now more dangerous world where there is an ongoing superpower rivalry looking to exploit weaknesses and vulnerabilities of each other, while we promote this as a "security feature" we also keep working to attract more and more foreign companies to relocate here so their shipping cargoes and raw materials would not need to use those new routes or stop at those ports.

[@LoC28C]

This will then make Singapore and Malaysia irrelevant in the international trade route. Then Singapore and Malaysia will need to find a new competitive edge to stay relevant.

[@jonathanliewnapitupulu8400]

Well Malaysia doesnt hurt at all only Singapore will hurt alot...remember Malaysia still have northern states such as Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu which have higher chances to build new ports for ships to anchored for RnR and logistic service.

[@ILUVBAKKUA]

@jonathanliewnapitupulu8400 ​it will affect our livelihood but how much of it we don't know or maybe SG gov knows, but it could also shift the security focus from us in the south to up north to thailand. Right now the Americans are distracted with their wars in Europe and the Middle east but once they are done there they could turn their attention to this region, so choose wisely do you "wish" for your money or for your life? of course whatever we wish we still can't prevent our neighbors from doing things on their territory but in the bigger scheme of things at the same time I wouldn't worry too much about it because things can "mysteriously" change in the future for example we don't know why military coups regularly take place in Thailand, but we seen that in past coups a new government takes over and expensive projects could end up getting cancelled or even sidelined for years or even a decade, a civilian government returns then maybe another coup happens again after a while and this could repeat and go on for a long long time - we don't know why of course can make some wild conspiracy wild guesses lah, also southern thailand where this is getting built also have a seperatists problem that's another area to watch. And even if they push this thru to get built finally where you have an alternative route to the indian ocean from south china sea I forsee that in time they will start looking at developing and reinforcing the nicobar and andaman islands which both belongs to India as a security counter-balance to the new route because you now have the quad alliance on top of the US diego garcia base thats also in the indian ocean. So this superpower rivalry likely to last for generations and hopefully we won't get ourselves caught in between it.

[@bank0942]

​@@ILUVBAKKUADon't squeeze us like that. If you think that we are afraid to die because our neighbors prevent us from developing the country. We're on China's side, and it doesn't hurt. Here we are completely neutral to you guys. How much will we please you guys? It is up to you to figure out how to generate income for the country. It's not telling us to choose to develop the country or choose to die. It's nonsense. If you really want war, don't rely on America.

[@ILUVBAKKUA]

​ @bank0942 The current superpower are the Americans, my take is if you work within their interests your country can have peace even prosper but if you work against their interests they will either overthrow you or make your country into a big mess just look at malaysia there have been 5 different government in only last 13 years that's like changing a new gov everyr 2-3 YEARS, Why? I see is because 10 years ago they announced they were going to build a deep water port for China in malacca but until today it's not done and now we hear that project going to be cancelled already. The Americans see China as a risng peer competitor and are feeling very insecured and that's very dangerous, we realise this but some countries don't and we think those countries have leaders that either too stupid and corrupt or too poor to do anything about it. I think the Americans are going to try to push China back into poverty and maybe also punish anybody that works with them. When giant elephants play you better get out of their way. We are only tiny country of course we want peace with everybody and we are powerless to stop our bigger neighbors doing whatever they want but we see what is happening or what could happen. I am only telling you what I think could happen.

[@daneurope9167]

reloading loading and reloading cargos just to save time makes no sense..

[@ivangim1]

The Thai Kra Project of whatever nature and scale is a development that will come to fruition someday. Singpore has had the good fortune of several decades to prepare for this eventuality. When it happens, Kra will complement and not deprive business away from Singapore. We've learned to overcome and evolve with every economic challenge that surfaces on the horizon. The key lies in growing the maritime pie by negotiating various forms of FTAs; bilateral, regional, blocs. This has been the ongoing energized focus and forward-thinking of the Singaporean Government. Never say die or you're dead from the start.

[@SoranPryde]

This isnt particularly a new idea. There have been many variations of it, from cutting an entire canal thru, to a landbridge from one end to the other end The main thing is that the time saving is minimal (a few days) and which will be negated by either the expenses to lift-off onto trucks to bring to the other hand (for a land bridge) or the tolls on a canal (to pay for its construction) Even today, there are ships still going around the Cape of Good Hope because the Suez Canal is too jammed up or too expensive in toll fees for some cargo

[@krollpeter]

This seems very unlikely. The cargo of one mega-ship requires 3800 trucks or 50 freight trains to replace it for carrying the same load. Certainly lesser if it is a regular, smaller vessel. But even at 1/3 of the capacity, it would still require in excess of 1000 trucks. If 50 of such smaller vessels would be unloaded every day, the trucks would form a Q of 700 km. Even if only a few cargo ships were cleared per day, the 90 km stretch of road would become a parking lot for cargo trucks. One disturbance on either end would result in something like a cardiac arrest. I suspect they were proposed this by China, and China wants to build it. Is it?

[@1ewi5]

Yes, there are concerns by Chinese side that US will block the Malacca Straits if a war breaks out.

[@MrChleong]

Why finger point at China? It is just about business; money and time.

[@kongwee1978]

Only China can do it.@@MrChleong

[@meganfoxbf]

China should give out more loans for the project. Thai should take the loans and have clause ready to block China taking any unreasonable advantage.

[@CalvinK-the_old_fogey]

Like the Panama Canal, this idea is good but not new. In fact, the name for it is Kra Canal and was first proposed in 1677. Over the years, as trade increases and with technological advances, Kra Canal project has been re-proposed multiple times. However there are many reasons why Kra Canal remains unfeasible. Southern Thailand remains volatile and despite technological advances, this project will be expensive. However IMHO the most important reason is the economic impact. Using Panama Canal saves a lot of sailing time compared to Kra Canal. Two, only ships bypassing Singapore will use Kra Canal but many (if not most) ships stop at Singapore port for cargo transfer. So I don’t think Kra Canal will happen.

[@RayMak]

I think it’s good to have some choices

[@ericphua2359]

Malaysia can stop Melaka Gateway port project to cut loss. Another white elephant project.

[@sun_eyesdrake4983]

Brilliant idea Thailand! Definitely will make your country improve its ecnomy.

[@timdunn2257]

The canal is an absurd idea. Loading and unloading is the biggest cost in shipping.

[@jjsamuelgunn1136]

No matter how you sell it saying it is not competitive, it's not a threat, Thais are too inefficient, blah blah.. the bottom line is this is an alternative route when there none at all before. Even if Singapore remains the primary and major route, siphoning away a small proportion of the traffic still means reduction in 'business'.

[@norman6499]

Western countries not stupid to roll their $ millions container 1 by 1 as a buffet on the bloody 90km long road for the robber to feast on…plus thai government not capable, almost like malaysia

[@arcencielc2065]

Heng uh, this is an ambitious project of Thailand. If it is by China, I will be very worried for Singapore. China can build anything and does it well. Look at their high-speed train network, spaceship, and space station! Salute!

[@ericphua2359]

Look at forest City. China only built the forest, no city.

[@davidlim5]

South Thailand had active Muslim separatists which does not benefit BKK. Thailand also had to rely on China to use the Canal to enable them to recover their huge investment. Not likely BKK will approve such huge amount

[@jwanglerz8500]

A bridge is useless, need to unload cargo which takes days from point A and then transport to point B and load to Ship also take days.. end up is longer time than just sail all the way down and up To add on, the choke point on rail track, how many lines of rail track you need to move containers on both side to make it fast enough without creating backlog.. Not enough rail line will create congestion, if too many lines it will be expensive to operate. End up cost more to go thru this line

[@AndrewBray-o3e]

If a container vessel has 20,000 TUE boxes (20ft) then one cargo would cover 75.7miles long which is 121Km so how does that work with a land bridge of only 90KM ??

[@andrewpaul3130]

The grand construction of the kra canal seems unfeasible. However a land based rail and highway is definitely workable. This if executed efficiently will bring tremendous success.

[@capricorn839]

Mostly likely will fail with a very high cost due to corruption from the top to the bottom. Anyway just wait for that day........maybe elephants can fly

[@alexsolosm]

This doesn't even make sense. That is a reduction of 4-5 day voyage at most. But unloading the cargo from ship, loading to land transport, cross to the west coast then unload and load again will take just as much time. Except it will be more expensive due to cargo handling fees. Thailand has already done feasibility studies before and found it is not viable. Why they bring this up again? Corruption?

[@silentwatcher1455]

The land bridge will be a great benefit to many countries.

[@Death_KnightYT]

As a singaporean , I don’t see any problems with this overall ,if Thailand wishes to do this,go ahead,we have no objectives to achieve should we oppose And secondly , sure there will be huge impacts should the land bridge be built,but I believe that my government should work forward to make sure that this won’t be a great impact for the long-term that can potentially harm the island’s economy

[@TF-cc5zp]

Well said 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@RavindranSankar-q3d]

I've read the Singapore port services contributed only 12% to GDP. Even if the land bridge materialise the drop in revenue may not be that much.

[@jonwijaya8539]

To unload and load is too much trouble. A canal will be more practical. Also, it will be safer for goods to travel to and from China without US interfering.

[@SK-lt1so]

Don't worry. With Thailand, the cost will explode and it will never work correctly.

[@shukriramlee]

someone is shaking 😂

[@Callsign-Blade_RunnerSG]

@@shukriramlee Not really, Singapore welcomes competition. Question is, can Thais outcompete Singaporeans in it’s area of expertise?? Last I checked, Thailand’s expensive new airport is NOT even in the top 10 world ranking… 😁

[@golden166]

@@Callsign-Blade_RunnerSG Where is the new airport?? It like more than 10 years old and Suvannapoom airport has more visitors than changi airport .😂

[@jb5music]

They were going to build a canal through there. Why wouldn't they do that instead so they don't have to load and unload the ships?

[@norman6499]

For domestic political reasons, the thai government said decades ago they wont cut up their land for fear of dividing their own country into the hands of some unknown thai rebel

[@N.biebie8428]

Geographic problems too many mountains and national parks/forests

[@lascavel]

Assuming unloading and reloading containers takes the same amount of time, and the train travels at a constant speed of 50 km/h, it would take approximately 1501.8 hours to unload 15000 containers onto a train, traverse 90 km, and reload the containers back into a ship. Here's the breakdown: * Unloading time: 15000 containers / 20 containers/hour = 750 hours * Travel time: 90 km / 50 km/h = 1.8 hours * Reloading time: 750 hours * Total time: 750 hours + 1.8 hours + 750 hours = 1501.8 hours Since there are 24 hours in a day, 1501.8 hours. Since there are 15,000 containers to be transported, the number of trips required would be 15,000 containers / 2,000 containers/trip = 7.5 round trips to complete the transportation of 15,000 containers Since there are 24 hours in a day, 1501.8 hours is equal to 62.575 days.

[@thanpisittadsri2027]

Now reassume that the train travels at 100 km/h with 10,000 t capacity for 300 TEUs+ per round, focusing to provide service for the Panamax 5,000 TEUs. The loading and unloading is automated.

[@danielc2701]

@@thanpisittadsri2027 Unless you Star Trek teleport the cargo onto the train, unloading will still take time.

[@thanpisittadsri2027]

@@danielc2701 Feasible time that worth the in-land demands for export-import. What, do you think Thailand plan to build Landbridge just to facilate trades for other countries?

[@danielc2701]

@@thanpisittadsri2027 From all the focus and comments about bypassing Malacca, yes! lol. Local trade, it would make sense but a lot of people seem to be taking it past the point of common sense and seem to be claiming that it can take over an entire international trade route. If they were to keep it at the level you propose, then it's definitely workable. Not so for the 2,000 ships a day proposers.

[@thanpisittadsri2027]

@@danielc2701 Landbridge will never overtake Singapore nor that it was planned to do such thing.

[@jackchen6009]

Congratulations to Thailand 🎉 This time is real

[@mic5391]

Hopefully, it is an open bidding process, otherwise, the result of the project will be insignificant!

[@Mystic_Edge]

Thailand about to file bankruptcy with that project

[@forgetmyname5166]

Who going to invest, good luck and take care. Money fly away

[@sweealamak628]

I want Thailand to do it. Very exciting to see what unfolds.

[@lolipopi503]

Need alot of budget to do it.

[@plinnytheother6107]

I was taught this in primary school geography in Malaysia in the 60's, it is still a pipe dream, will drive costs up for transport, logistics are impressively bad

[@clintton888888]

TEU capacity of a shipping container boat is 5,000 , image you have to unload and load 50 (30% of ship passed by)ships and tracks to transport it. Dont forget about oil tanker which can carry 2 million barrels , it is a crazy idea to unload , translort via land and load to tanker again

[@albertharris7980]

Not crazy when some one is lining their pockets, expect this to happen when Thaksin return he had this idea with Dubai world when he was in power

[@djoys7738]

One more facility for trade, provided SCS is left open (unoccupied) by china. If SCS is already grabbed, will the project be viable, still ?

[@wsmithe2209]

It's going to build in Thailand. Thai gov and its people can decide what to do on the project, NOT Singapore or Malaysia. It's going to save 6 to 9 days of sailing if use the bridge port. It's going to freeup some ships once unload. These ships then can go to other ports and loadup more goods.

[@ukmkotabandung3609]

Terlalu lama Thailand merealisasikannya,Land bridge di gali seperti terusan Suez,di buka laut ketemu laut ,Singapure mati😂, Sangat baik buat Thailand ,sudah saatnya mendapat untung dari hal ini .🎉

[@detox78]

I cant really see how the landbridge can seriously hurt singapore or malaysia ports. Singpore or Malaysian ports already quite matured in term of connectivity, trade services and infrastructure that supports the ports existence. Malaysia is already building a land bridge which will be completed in 2025. This landbridge will connect Port Klang to Port Kuantan. We can see if this kind of project can really fly.

[@isaachiew676]

easy, just buy the stake of both ports (or the companies involved) and the land bridge, fund it enough and you own all of them.

[@syq8888]

Competition is always good. Singapore should welcome this. Upgrade, update and provide better service. It is a package deal

[@nicholaschua7269]

Not possible la… how much infrastructure and trucks/ trains and loading time for the ships?! The other ship need to be there to receive also so many logistic!! The unloading ship? Crew go on holiday while waiting for loading and unloading. All this time taken for unloading and transporting and loading onto the other side.. and arrangement of ships at both ports save how many days? 3-4 days to sail around? 2-3 days unload and load? Unless there many ships around. A canal is much better idea for shipping but that also a mega project.. and how to make money out of it is another issue

[@BIueDreamm]

I don’t think Singapore should feel any threat.

[@mic5391]

No threat lah, only the wumao thinks it is good for them!

[@cocaineminor4420]

We don't feel threaten But our media feels threaten by this 😂 Idk why

[@prinzouji]

if Thailand made a canal between 2 seas, does that mean the peninsular Malaysia will be an island?

[@N.biebie8428]

it's not a Canal it's a Landbridge

[@Onion_Knights]

Canol of that magnitude requires alot of money and is not viable. its Landbridge. tbh, i dont even think Landbridge is a good idea

[@MrBoliao98]

I don't mind the Thai people bypassing us, it means still a lot of ships will use the Southeast Asia route. I see Singapore, we just got our handsfull and too much business to do, and no one is capable enough to take the leftover from us. I'm happy for them to compete, keep our costs low, and to just do the leftover business that we cannot finish. I don't even think we should close off Tanjong Pagar, we got not enough port

[@jimmyyeo123]

Thailand proposed land bridge would be quite probelm for Singpore if go ahead. Beside that Malaysia is also expanding their port in Melaka believe to be very advance and very well infrastructure to be build by China so these 2 countries would pose serious shipping threats to Singapore. So lets see whether these both ports would materialised.

[@mic5391]

Thailand will compete directly with Malaysia, not with Singapore! Those ships will have to come to Singapore to service us and Indonesia!

[@ericphua2359]

Malaysia can cancel Melaka Gateway to cut loss. She play out by panda.

[@69sopae]

Thais love elephant and this may be their beloved White Elephant. Let the competition begin!!!!!!

[@blackswan640]

Singapore did it when they had TS concert exclusively be held in Singapore . Great Strategy on the part of Thailand.

[@ericphua2359]

That a childish remarks, say Thailand.

[@thomaswwwiegand]

That make only sense if: * the Railway is at least two tracks ONLY for this cargo, * the cargo have to move from ship direct to train, and then from train to ship again to keep the time short I would NOT mind about used for oil, as just calculate how much rail tanks you need for a oil-tank ! I don't think that makes a plus in time savings. Additional is there so much place for so much ships from beginning ?

[@usiohaki295]

50 years on, will still remain an idea as no economic sense.

[@AstrobumTV]

Suez is just making 9 billion for Egypt, yet Egypt's geopolitical influence is nothing compared to ASEAN. So why do we even care about the shipping route when it's time for us to bet on our local workforce to push forward our economy into an export-driven one like Taiwan and Japan? Nvidia alone is making 25 billion per year. That's almost 3 times the revenue of the grandfather of all shipping lanes; the Suez. Imagine we have many other companies like Nvidia. Let's not forget, Exxon is making 400 bill per year. Apple making 90 bill. I think shipping routes are no longer as important as it was a century ago. We should start building our very own commercial aircraft fleet instead. Airbus been making 60 bill per year.

[@johnson1262]

Why though ? It just a few days .

[@happymelon7129]

We all knew these years of peace in SEA is because that empire busy in Middle East for 20years. Empire focus on Middle East , BOOOOM ! Empire focus on Europe , BOOOOM ! Now that Empire focus on Asia ...😨

[@s.chaisrisuk4956]

This will be good for everyone!

[@autorefresher1]

How will this affects rivers? and the ecosystem around it?

[@fendilppsa5523]

GOOD REPLY 👍

[@FengChengNanEr-o7q]

What if the cargo unloading, transportation, and reloading are carried out by unmanned machines and rail vehicles? 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?

[@forgetmyname5166]

If you can reach that stage, maybe in 50 years or more

[@remremsrisri4953]

It's only meant for circumventing sanctions imposed by the west, which to a degree, controls Singapore by their flexible military alliance.

[@richardkong4387]

Spore is an Allie of the U.S. and have a mighty naval base that can blockade the Melaka straits. China is doing a smart move against the U.S. actions against their trade routes.

[@E-portal9479]

superb strategy to boost thai economy

[@oliverimperial5139]

2 Things that will make Kra land bridge not worth it for Shipping companies: 1) it takes more energy (oil ) to transfer stuff overland using trucks and trains. 2) Logistical problems of doing so many transfers of cargo from ship to Port, Port to land vehicles, land vehicles to port and lastly, Port to Ships again. Both will increase the cost of using the Land bridge making it as expensive as just going thru Singapore. It will not provide the same level of cost benefit ratio of Using the Panama Canal or Suez canal.... Now, If they build a canal instead of a land bridge, then Singapore should worry

[@wshyangify]

Why can't they just dig through that 90km?

[@mic5391]

South thailand will become truly the Sultanate of Patani!

[@danielwong321]

Just give more options to deal with cargoes and shipments 😊😊

[@abdulwahidmdtahir3660]

Ships will not bypass Singapore. The ships from the west will unload their containers at west port and the containers will be transported to the east port via the land bridge. The opposite will happen to the ships from the east. Practically the ships from the west will just simply go back to west and the ships from the east will go back to the east. If they build a canal, yes the ships will bypass Singapore.

[@ngsiewchin2277]

Is prior minister corrupt?

[@NewmaticKe]

How does an aircraft carrier get transported over the bridge?

[@tanchye1720]

Kra canal was first proposed 300+ yrs ago and not built. It will be silly for Thailand to divide and ‘hand over’ the southern part to Malaysia which is already comprises of 70% Muslim. Land ‘bridge’ as suggested now is not impossible but one have to take into account: 1. Unload on one end, transport 100+ km and reload on the other end. Need new ports on both ends. This require cost, times & efficiency for it to be effective. 2. Need new highways, infrastructures land acquisitions, etc, and these are costly. 3. Frequent flooding or poor coordinations works will jam up the whole operation. 4. It’s will not be surprising that the ‘land bridge’ it will cost more money and time wastage Singapore fully AI very efficient & well established container ports MUST not be taken for granted by others when they try to ‘outdo’ it.

[@Tekhelet75]

Exactly. They been talking till cows come home. Money laundering. Also lack of brain power and high efficiency. National culture. Singapore is special. But don’t rest on laurels. Onward and up. Keep on going.

[@ichig0213]

personally it is not a viable option in the long run due to high cost and it is quite inefficient to drop the cargo at 1 end then to use land transport to carry it to the other end of the sea port then have another ship to pick up cargo again to ship to the other side of the country

[@happymelon7129]

😆CNA can have a report on Brandon India Saudi shipping route . along with leaders of India, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, announced on Saturday the launch of a new trade route connecting India to the Middle East and Europe through railways and ports. 😂The leaders did not lay out who would be paying for the project.

[@Santanibalak1]

​​@@happymelon7129ofcourse at time Saudi Arabia and UAE and other countries want to connect with india because of fastly growing economy and 1+ billion middle class market 5 days ago UAE announced that we are investing 50 billions dollar in india in next 3 years 2 days ago Saudi Arabia announce we are taking 15 % share in India primer ledge(IPL) in 5 billion dollar and also we want IPL will become global so we also want to invest additional 30 billion dollar for IPL globalization So if anything have some mind then he will invest in india India is the future ASEAN growth rate for this year 4.7 India's growth rate for this year 6.3 next 10 years india will become second largest GDP in terms of purchasing power parity

[@kimhockyap-fm7ur]

Nobody can tell the future. So we need to be more economically independent. Assuming no ship comes to Singapore, can we survive? How?

[@steven8148]

not worth the ROI, canal would be a better winner than land bridge. Cost of unload and reload is time consuming and costly.

[@pengseahang946]

Focus on ourselves to stay relevant, not forgetting to stay HUMBLE and not ARROGANT. Maybe we need to ask ourselves again .....why did MAERSK and EVERGREEN moved to Malaysian ports in 2000? 🤔 Singapore cannot afford anymore mistakes in this new challenging global environment.

[@mizamshah]

So thailand should giving back whole region of southern thai to malaysia

[@sfalpha]

The Major Idea is not about make link that use this to transport cargo between 2 oceans instead of go around via Malacca strait (although it's look like one) Not all ship do travel back and forth via Malacca strait. Some only stop at Singapore port, exchange cargo with another ship for another region then go back. That the target Thailand aims to replace it. And by rail connecting to China, it will reduce cargo time ship from China to ME and Europe at least a week. So The Idea is to develop 2 Major Deep Sea Port on both sides and connect road/rail/pipeline to both side and region road/rails network (yes also to China). This will reduce time for cargo that originally ship from Port in Eastern Thailand or China via Laos to Middle East and Europe by allow the shop to dock at Andaman side of the ocean, while still able to exchange the cargo back to Mainland and to/from other ship that dock at Pacific (Thailand Gulf) Side which go to East Asia, Oceania or America.

[@bernardlim5754]

there is a massive oversupply of shipping capacity in the next 3 years and ocean carriers are sailing even slower, adding extra ships into the service loops and more port calls on top of idling ships. The ultra large container ships can carry 10-12K containers and to move this, there will be massive terminal yard capacity, intermodal rail, quay and yard cranes and not forgetting berth investment. the carriers will need significant number of smaller size vessels to take on the connections and revamp their network. The savings on the vessel charter fees, fuel to transit does not make economic sense

[@jjsamuelgunn1136]

You are talking about 3 years. It's going to take that long at least to finish that project.

[@smonyboy]

Shipping companies will save a lot on bunkering cost

[@b0502127]

To begin the Thailand era into boosting their economic growth and strength

[@RB-rp6ud]

I don’t see this as a competition but more of choices for the shipping lines. If this Kra Channel provides better services, then it’s time to up the game & come up with innovative services to the industry.

[@ssrae-2229]

It is the spill off effects that matters - Gulf of Thailand and Penang ports :

[@Clip_Gallery]

Good for Thailand

[@tazragames6770]

Already this brings up a whole slew of competitive and innovative ideas. So why worry?

[@miketay9853]

The ship can just pass through without loading and unloading if cargo is meant for China.

[@mic5391]

????? Errrr, this is a strange one! lol

[@reliancehelpercrystalchai5726]

It won't cripple Singapore's economy because it relies on exports. Based on past year statistics, the increase of exports led to a faster growing economy. Singapore also has reserves which the country use when there isn't even a crisis to keep its economy running and growing.

[@reliancehelpercrystalchai5726]

The country only relies a bit on maritime trade but could be covered by the reserves. Plus, the status is not that important to Singapore because the nation is more important to the world in other areas. Singapore will still have some ships passing through because of exports. Singapore does not charge much for ship which will not need much reserves spending and allow Singapore to continue growing its economy and reserves at the same rate. Don't get confused. The country use the reserves even though there isn't a crisis.

[@reliancehelpercrystalchai5726]

Singapore is also a 'magnet' for foreign investment and tech companies to invent new technologies since the country has a good working enviroment. The technology and investment sector will help cover the income for maritime trade.

[@angelodeleon4282]

This is what we are waiting for as a filipino seafarer cutting travel time and shortcut to our voyage its like a suez canal and panama canal and new income for thailand this is a good news

[@chiaolim7773]

Panama Canal bypasses South America while Suez bypasses Africa. They are far longer distances that makes sense. Remember, for companies, it’s all about saving money. If the cost of using the Thai land bridge is cheaper then just sailing to Singapore, then it will be a success. I highly doubt that.

[@norman6499]

Western countries not stupid to roll their $ millions container 1 by 1 as a buffet on the bloody 90km long road for the infamous thai robber to feast on…plus thai government not capable, almost like malaysia n philipine.

[@socratesii91]

Can you just see this as a goodness for SEA?? Please stop with the threat, this is not our culture.

[@jeffreytheu]

I heard the long long story about Isthmus of Kra 57 years ago for time, fuel and etc savings. Now saying too late.