The Thai government has approved a $5.3 million feasibility study for a plan to build two ports connected by a rail and road link on the Isthmus of Kra, in place of the long planned Kra Canal. The LaRouche organization has long campaigned internationally for the Kra Canal as a strategic and economic means of transforming the Indian Ocean-Western Pacific region. LaRouche ally Pakdee Tanapura has led the effort within Thailand, while gaining support from Chinese and Japanese interests in the great project.