INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON
TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE PATHS TO THAILAND’S FUTURE
THAI CANAL: Comprehensive Study of New Logistics Systems for the Asia-Pacific Region
September 11, 2017, Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok Hotel

The Thai Canal which is also known as The Kra Canal, is a-mega project that has been a key subject of discussion for decades in Thailand. Some believe that the canal can serve as a vehicle to create economic prosperity for the future.
The immense investment in the Thai Canal is not only great affecting the Thai economy in a positive way, but it is also reverberating through the rest of the world. Thai Canal has more to offer to businesses than just a canal. It is also home to two world-class logistic and business hubs at the either end of the path between two oceans. The effects within Thailand and the whole Asia continent, especially Southeast Asia, will be exponential impacting everything from ports and terminal development to shipping, transport (rail, road, sub-waterways) and warehousing in the areas.

King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang and Thai Canal Association for Study and Development are pleased to announce the International conference on TECHNOLOGY FOR SUSTAINABLE PATHS TO THAILAND’S FUTURE, THAI CANAL: Comprehensive Study of New Logistics Systems for the Asia-Pacific Region. The conference will include panels and presentations on major considerations for Thai Canal project from key industry specialists who are from private, public and government sectors. Besides, the conference will provide highly valuable networking opportunities where the C-level, senior management, professionals, operators, contractors, consultants and investors can learn about what projects can possibly be put in the pipeline and capitalize on the business opportunities being created.

The conference which is warmly supported by European Association for Business and Commerce (EABC), will be held September 11, 2017, at Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok Hotel. A special price(1,000 THB net) is available for EABC and Consortium partners’ members.​

CONFERENCE AGENDA (as of August 30, 2017)
08:00   Arrival of Participants and Registration
08:30   Opening Speech: H.E. Mrs. Apiradi Tantraporn, Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Thailand
08:45   Messages of Congratulations

1. H.E. Thanin Kraivichien, former Prime Minister, former President of the Supreme Court and former Member of the Privy Council
2. Gen. Saiyud Kerdphol, former Supreme Commander
3. Mr. Rolf-Dieter Daniel, President, the European Chamber of Commerce

09:10   Keynote Speeches

1. Gen. Pongthep Thesprateep, Chairman of the Thai Canal Association for Study and Development
2. Prof. Dr. Suchatvee Suwansawat, President of King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL)

09:30   Morning Coffee and Tea Break

10:00   SESSION 1: World’s Major Canals
Session Chairman:  Mr. Georg Wolff, Board Member, Chair of Advocacy Group Rail & Road Infrastructure, European Association for Business & Commerce (EABC)
Topic 1: Panama Canal: Example of successful linkage between Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Guest Speaker:  Dr. Ilya Espino de Marotta, Vicepresidenta Ejecutiva, Ingeniería y Admministración de Programas, Autoridad del Canal de Panamá.
Topic 2: Suez Canal: Example of successful linkage between the Mediterranean Sea & the Red Sea
Guest Speaker:  Capt. Mohamed Fawzy, Senior Chief Pilot – Marine Superintendent, Suez Canal Authority
Topic 3: Kiel Canal: Example of successful linkage between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
Guest Speaker:  Dr. Marin Kruse, Director, Regional Policy, Innovation and Environment, Chamber of Industry and Trade, Kiel, Germany
Q&A Session

11:00   SESSION 2: Significant Concepts for World Development
Session Chairman: Dr. Nunthawat Charusrojthanadech, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology, Ladkrabang
Topic 5: Mega-Projects in Asia and around the World – Challenges in Construction
Guest Speaker: Dr. Norio Yamamoto, President, Global Infrastructure Fund Foundation, Japan
Topic 6: One Belt One Road Initiative – Global Aspects
Guest Speaker: Prof. Bai Yun, Tongji University Shanghai, People Republic of China and Prof. Cao Heping, Department of Development Economics, Doctoral Supervisor, School of Economics, Peking University
Topic 7:  One Belt One Road Initiative – Regional Aspects
Guest Speaker: Dr. Jinsong Zhao, PRC Lawyer in Maritime Arbitration, Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Mr. Zhao Gang, the Scheme of International Cooperation in Renewable Energy and New Energy Sources
Q&A Session
12:00   Lunch Break

13:00   SESSION 3: Kra Canal and Linkage among Asian Countries
Session Chairman: Dr. Harald Wagner, Director of International Civil Engineering Program, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang
Topic 8: The Impact of One Belt One Road on Maritime and Overland Transportation Logistics in Malaysia
Guest Speaker: Prof. Dr. Ir. Ruslan Hassan, Vice President, Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM)
Topic 9: Navigational Saturation of Malacca Straits and Its Consequences
Guest Speaker: Mr. Pakdee Tanapura, Vice Chairman of Thai-Chinese Culture and Economy Association, Head of Kra Canal Study Team
Topic 10: Development of Free Economic Zones
Guest Speaker: Mr. Tony Restall, President Development Services International Ltd.
Q&A Session
14:30   Afternoon Coffee and Tea Break

15:00   SESSION 4: Security and Environment
Session Chairman: Dr. Aphichat Sramoon, Senior Executive Vice President, TEAM Consulting Engineering and  Management Co., Ltd.
Topic 11: Kra Canal and the Unity of Thailand
Guest Speaker: Admiral Soopakorn Booranadiloak, President of the Royal Thai Navy Advisory Group
            Topic 12: Impact of Mega-Projects on Environment and People
Guest Speakers: Harald Wagner, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL Bangkok) and Douglas Smith, DS Environment and Social Impact Assessment Institute (ESIA London)
            Q&A Session
16:30   Conference Closing Speech delivered by Prof. Dr. Suchatvee Suwansawat, President of King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL)
17.00   Close of the conference

17.30 – 20.00 Cocktail Reception (Invitation Only)

Price: 1000 THB for EABC Members and consortium partners’ members
*The price includes lunch and coffee break
*Thai Canal Association for Study and Development (TCA) will follow up on payment and issue the invoice.