Hearing on Patong Tunnel in Phuket soon

KATHU, PHUKET: Members of the public will get the chance to air their views on the controversial Patong Tunnel project at a hearing in Phuket on Tuesday.

The project, which is currently the subject of a 40-million-baht feasibility study, will see a tunnel bored through the hills separating Patong from the rest of Tambon Kathu.

Proponents of the project, including Patong Mayor Pian Keesin, say the tunnel would reduce accidents by diverting traffic off the dangerous stretch of Phra Barami Road that covers the hills.

The Thai-language hearing will take place from 9am to 12pm at Club Andaman Beach Resort on Haad Patong Road.

Patong Municipality, which is organizing the event, is inviting all stakeholders to bring their comments and suggestions.

The hearing will brainstorm the effects of the tunnel on the local economy, society and environment and consider the engineering challenges of the project.

Epsilon, the company carrying out the feasibility study, estimates the project could cost from 1.2 billion baht for a two-lane tunnel to 2.4 billion baht for a four-lane route.

— Pimwara Choksakulpan