SBPAC Is Expediting The Construction Of The #418 Highway

SBPAC transfers highway #418 construction project to Army Engineer Corps

The Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC) is expediting the construction of the #418 Highway to bring Pattani and Yala provinces closer together.

The Director of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPAC), Mr. Pranai Suwanarat (พระนาย สุวรรณรัฐ), conducted a meeting with a respresentatives of the Royal Thai Army Engineer Corps and the Department of Highways, the governors of Yala and Pattani provinces, and industrial leaders of the southern border provinces. Mr. Pranai discussed delays in the construction of the #418 Ban Klong Kut (บ้านคลองขุด )-Ban Tha Sap (บ้านท่าสาป) Highway, and attributed unfinished contractor work to unrest in the southern provinces.

Meanwhile the Deputy Director of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center Economics Division, Mr. Cheung Chat-Ariyakul (เชื่อง ชาติอริยะกุล) revealed that the meeting has concluded that the Department of Highways should transfer control of the #418 Highway project to the Royal Thai Army Engineer Corps.

Mr. Cheung indicates that budget allocation for army engineers should take less than 2 months, adding that he would discuss relevant details with the Commanding General of the Engineer Corps.

The #418 Highway is expected to be completed within 16 months and is expected to help reduce travel time considerably between the southern border provinces.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 15 Febuary 2007