Phuket: Tunnels proposed to link Kathu and Patong

The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) proposed on Wednesday to cut a pair of traffic tunnels through the Nark Kerb mountain to link Kathu and Patong beaches.

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Photo courtesy of the Expressway Authority of Thailand.

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Mountain tunnels for Phuket

Achadtaya Chuenniran

The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) proposed on Wednesday to bore a pair of traffic tunnels through the Nark Kerb mountain to link Kathu and Patong beaches.

EXAT governor Aiyanat Tinarpai made the proposal at a public meeting that attracted around 300 residents and advocates from local public and private agencies.

The public forum at a Phuket hotel sought to sound out local feeling about a project that could cut travel between the island's two most popular beaches from 14km to three.

The plan calls for carving a pair of tunnels, each 3.07km long – one for traffic in each way. In addition each tunnel would have a special lane for motorcyles and an evacuation port in case of a tsunami.

The tunnels would save travellers a 14km trip on the winding and sometimes dangerous Highway 4029. Google maps photo

The proposal for the tunnels came from the Patong Muang Municipality, and was approved at a mobile cabinet meeting at the resort town in March, last year.

A feasibility study is underway under EXAT supervision. The agency will submit its findings and conclusion to the ministry of transport by the end of next year.

The mostly likely conclusion will call for construction of tunnels from near APK Resort and Spa on Pang-Muang, Soi Kor Road in Kathu district, running to the end of the Road No 4029, a two-lane road which is currently the only road into Patong from the direction of Kathu, and already has heavy traffic.

The project would replace a 14km trip along a winding and sometimes dangerous road, whose tight curves through the Nark Kerd hills have caused numerous traffic accidents.

Current estimates call for a 6 billion baht investment to fund the tunnels.

courtesy – provided free by a person or an organisation
tunnel – an underground passage through which vehicles travel อุโมงค์
propose – to suggest as an idea for a group to consider เสนอ
link – to connect เชื่อม
bore – to make a long deep hole with a tool or by digging เจาะ
proposal – a plan or suggestion for a group to consider ข้อเสนอ
attract – to cause someone to be interested in something ดึงดูดความสนใจ
residents – people who live in a particular area ประชาชนที่อาศัยในท้องที่
advocate – someone who strongly and publicly supports someone or something ผู้สนับสนุน
local – in or related to the area that you live, or to the particular area that you are talking about  ท้องถิ่น
public – provided, especially by the government, for the use of people in general ของสาธารณะ
private – involving groups, businesses or industries that are not owned or controlled by the government เอกชน
agency – a department that provides a particular service หน่วยงาน
forum – a place where people can express their ideas and opinions การประชุมแสดงความคิดเห็น
sound out – to try to find out someone’s opinion about something หยั่งเสียง
popular – a situation in which someone or something is liked by many people เป็นที่นิยม, เป็นที่ชื่นชอบ
carve – to cut out from something like stone or wood แกะ, ตัด
evacuation – moving people from a place of danger to a safer place การอพยพ
winding – having a curving and twisting shape เลี้ยวลด, อ้อมไปอ้อมมา, คดไปคดมา
municipality – a town, city or district with its own local government เทศบาล
approve – to give official permission อนุมัต
mobile – able to move or be moved around ซึ่งเคลื่อนที่ได้
cabinet – the group of government ministers who make and approve government policy คณะรัฐมนตรี
feasibility – the possibility that something can be achieved ความเป็นไปได้
underway – happening  กำลังเกิดขึ้น
supervision – the process of making sure that something is being done properly  การควบคุมดูแล การตรวจตรา
submit – to formally give something to someone so that can make a decision about it ยื่น (เอกสาร) เพื่อการพิจารณา
conclusion – a final decision การสรุป การตกลงขั้นสุดท้าย
construction – the work of building or making something, especially buildings, bridges, etc. การก่อสร้าง
currently – at this time; now ในปัจจุบัน
replace – to change from one thing to another แทน
tight – having little open space  แคบ, มุมแคบ
curve – a line or surface that bends gradually; a smooth bend เส้นโค้ง, ทางโค้ง
numerous – many มากมาย
estimate – to say what you think an amount or value is or will be, either by using available information or by guessing คาดคะเน
investment – the act of investing money in something การลงทุน
fund – to provide money for something ให้เงินทุน