Parade marks opening of Bt50mn Phuket Town road
PHUKET: Anchalee Vanich Thepabutr, now confirmed to take on the appointment of Secretary-General to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, on Friday officially opened the new road connecting Phuket Town’s two largest public parks.
The opening of the new road, temporarily named Sai Phang Muang Khor, took place with a Christmas Eve ceremony complete with a parade and marching bands.
Leading the procession along the thoroughfare was the Phuket Wittayalai School marching band, who were followed by members of the Thai Peranakan Association in traditional attire.
Lining the road from 4pm to 11pm were vendors selling plants, refreshments and handicrafts made under the government’s One Tambon One Product (OTOP) initiative.
Mrs Anchlee’s husband, Phuket MP Tossaporn Thepabutr, also attended, as did fellow Phuket MP Rewat Areerob and Governor Tri Augkaradacha.
The new road, which connects Chao Fa East Road and Sakdidet Road Soi 1, provides a much faster route between Suan Luang Park and Saphan Hin than was previously available.
“The road is 1,126 meters long. Construction started in 2008 and finished on December 8, 2010 at a total cost of 50,674,000 baht,” said Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwanasupana.
The new road will help alleviate traffic jams on Chao Fa East Rd, Phun Pol Rd and Rattanakosin 200 Pi Rd during peak hours, she added.
Phuket City Municipality has yet to decide on an official name for the road, said the mayor.
“There may be a contest for the public to suggest names that we can choose from,” she said.
— Janpen Upatising
