The call came at a seminar held at Ban Laemsai Pier in Si Kao district’s Tambon Khao Mai Kaew, with about 50 local residents in attendance.

Most voiced support for the so-called Klong Thai 9A project, formerly known as the Kra Isthmus canal, saying it would revive the provincial economy and help put an end to illegal fishing, since people would turn to other businesses once the canal was built.

The residents said they wanted the government consider the project in earnest and form a panel to study the feasibility.

The Kong Thai 9A project, if approved, would entail twin parallel canals crossing Krabi, Trang, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Songkhla, a distance of 140 kilometres. The cost has been estimated at Bt1.68 trillion and the construction period likely six years.