Where is Kra Isthmus Located?

Quick Takeaway:
“The Kra Isthmus is located in southern Thailand, connecting the Malay Peninsula with the mainland of Asia. It is a narrow strip of land that separates the Gulf of Thailand from the Andaman Sea. Its significance lies in providing an alternative route to transit through the Straits of Malacca, reducing transit distances shipments to Japan and China by approximately 1,200 km.”

The Kra Isthmus is located in Thailand’s southeastern region of the country. It is a narrow strip of land that connects the Malay Peninsula to mainland Asia. The isthmus runs across the narrowest part of the Malay Peninsula, separating the Gulf of Thailand to the east from the Andaman Sea to the west.

Geographically, the Kra Isthmus is situated in the southern part of Thailand’s Isthmus of Kra, which stretches for approximately 44 kilometers (27 miles) from the Andaman Sea to the Gulf of Thailand. The isthmus is bordered by the provinces of Ranong and Phang Nga to the west and Phang Nga and Phuket to the east.

The strategic location of the Kra Isthmus has made it a significant route for trade and transportation throughout history. It serves as a natural land bridge between Southeast Asia and mainland Asia, connecting major shipping routes in the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.

The area is a significant geographical feature, and there have been various historical and modern proposals to create a canal through the isthmus to reduce travel and shipping time between Europe and East Asia