Gov backs Chalong-Patong highway

PHUKET CITY: Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura has thrown his weight behind a proposal to build a 206-million-baht six-lane highway linking Patong with Chalong.

At a meeting held today at the Royal Phuket City Hotel, Governor Udomsak explained that the highway would be 4.5 kilometers long and would follow the route of the current two-lane road leading to Wat Luang Phu Supha in Chalong, extending on from there to meet 50 Pi Rd in Patong.

That road is due to be extended anyway, in order to reach the site of the planned Klong Kata reservoir.

The Governor said that he had already approved spending by the Department of Rural Roads (DRR) to extend the road to the Klong Kata site, but that he would like to see the road pushed all the way through to Patong.

“We could start building the road next year and it could be ready for use in 2008. It would bring economic benefits to Phuket,” Gov Udomsak said.

However, he added, if the road is to be built, Tambon Chalong and Patong Municipality would also need to contribute large amounts of money. This is by no means guaranteed.

Patong Municipality was not represented at the meeting, but Jaroen Thewabutr, village chief of Moo 6, Chalong, said that villagers did not agree with the route recommended by the DRR.

Three routes have been proposed, with the DRR favoring Route 3, the northernmost.

K. Jaroen said villagers favor the more southerly Route 2 because it will take noisy traffic away from Wat Luang Phu Supa; because the road will not be so steep; because it will be less likely to damage the Klong Kata dam; and because it will not require 23 local people to give up farmland, which would be the case with Route 3.

The Governor said that he would call another meeting of all parties concerned to see if agreement could be reached.