| Summary/Abstract |
China today has the interest, money and technology to build the Kra Canal in Southern Thailand consonant to Chinese President Xi Jinping's grand strategy of a Maritime Silk Road. Notwithstanding China's rise and friendly relations with Thailand, the Kra Canal project has stalled due to gridlock in Thai domestic politics. Beijing cannot simply impose its infrastructural preferences on Bangkok but needs the latter's consent. Thus far, that consent is not forthcoming. But if the construction of the Canal were to proceed ahead unexpectedly and quickly, it could be a navigational, trading and geopolitical game changer upon completion in Southeast Asia.
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