Landslide forces airport road closure

PHUKET: Motorists are being warned to stay off the small road that runs parallel to the runway at Phuket International Airport following a landslide. The slide occurred near the air traffic control tower and Aeronautical Radio of Thailand office there.

“Continuous rain over the past few days loosened the earth on the 141-meter-tall hill (Khao Bo Sai) next to the road and a large chunk of it came crashing down, trees and all, at 12:45 this afternoon,” Mai Khao Administration Organization (OrBorTor) president Sarawut Sisakukam told the Gazette.

“We are using heavy equipment to clear the debris from the road, which has been closed off to the public until further notice.

“Diversions have been set up so motorists can use the designated alternative routes for the time being,” said Mr Sarawut.

“The retaining wall is cracked and damaged. The damage needs to be properly assessed and then repaired before the road can be reopened. We cannot say at the moment how long the repairs will take,” he said.

— Chutharat Plerin