Revelers heading to Patong can hope for a light at the end of a tunnel, in 2012. Three thousand accident cases per annum on the current, wickedly winding route to Patong have raised hackles amongst the powers that be.

Three local institutions on Phuket--the state government, Phuket Provincial Administration and the Kathu Municipality Administration are now cooperating to review a new road route incorporating a tunnel project planned from Kathu to Patong.

The main reason given to the Post was the reduction of accident cases--many of which have been fatal--but also to support an expanding tourism plan for Phuket, and eventually, cut expenses.
Phuket Governor Niran Kalanamit approves of the plan, but is wary of going too fast. He has asked researchers to conduct a detailed analysis and procure relevant details. All stakeholders and the public must be consulted, he has warned. While the government will regulate the project, Phuket Provincial Administration has been tasked with the research and planning.

Private institutions will be responsible for investing into the project.

Mr. Pian Geesin, Mayor of Patong, Kathu district told the Post "at this present time, the route between Muang (Phuket city) and Patong- the No. 4029 highway is dangerously convoluted. The highest point is about 130 metres above sea level. Two kilometres long, this route has many sharp curves and bottlenecks.
"There are 20,000 vehicles taking this course everyday, leading to approximately 3,000 accident cases a year," he said. "The tunnel project, long sitting on the shelf, has been re-instated after these alarming figures have come to light.

"We have employed a Swedish company: Skanska to survey this project. If this project is completed successfully, Patong residents, locals living nearby and tourists will soon have a comfortable, safe route to take from Muang to Patong.

"Patong is now well-know for its tourism," he added. "There is a need for this project to become reality. If this project is successful, it will create many benefits, such as reduction of accidents. The tunnel itself may prove a big draw for tourists, not to mention locals."

Mr. Charnchai Soontornmut, Vice Governor, Phuket said that "I am in favour of this project. There are a lot of benefits. Less accidents and huge savings on energy and fuel. This project will also benefit other institutions such as electricity departments and water supply sections. The idea came from the locals themselves, and they support it, but we need more research and planning. We especially need to be aware of soil-level techniques and budgets."

Doctor Prasith Goisiripong, the Phuket Provincial Administration President told the Post: "We have considered this project for a long time.

"Besides curbing accident rates and saving energy, this will also make loading convenient for utility vehicles and will provide a far more efficient method to transport victims of accidents and such from Patong to hospitals in the city. The initial budget for this project is set at about a thousand million baht, although we expect it to grow."

Dr. Prasith is also keen to ensure that there is adequate public discussion before any steps are taken.
Mr. Pian Keesin, Patong Municipality Mayor informed the Post that Patong municipality already has 40 million baht to conduct the research. "I think the total budget for the project will be about 2,000 million baht. An engineer from the Kasetsart University is conducting a soil level research. We have 90% support from the locals in the area. I think that though this project calls for a huge budget, the eventual benefits will reap rich rewards," he said.

"I believe that this project will be completed in 2012," opines Dr. Prasith. "The benefits will be spread to everyone, from locals to tourists."