The Isthmus is named after the city Kra Buri, in the Ranong province of Thailand, which is located at the west side of the narrowest part. Opposing it on the east side is the city Chumphon.
As the Malay Peninsula enlarges the shipping routes around Asia significantly, already in 1677 a canal through the Kra Isthmus was suggested. The idea is still entertained by a few Thai politicians today, however the high costs as well as ecological problems make it unlikely to be realized in the near future.