Pictures courtesy of Khaosod 

 

The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) in Phichit province has launched an urgent inspection of Highway 11 after reports of significant damage less than a year after completion. The road section between Wang Sai Phun and Khao Sai districts has developed large potholes and subsidence, raising safety concerns. Local authorities have been ordered to expedite repairs to prevent accidents.

 

The project involved the construction of a 30.9-kilometre stretch of Highway 11 from In Buri junction to Sak Lek district at a cost of 1.413 billion baht. Construction began on 25 September 2020 and was completed and handed over on 20 June 2025, with the contract officially ending on 14 June 2025. The route is a major link to northern Thailand and carries heavy traffic.

 

Damage became apparent soon after opening, with sections developing cracks and potholes, particularly between Wang Sai Phun and Khao Sai districts. Police at Wang Sai Phun have placed warning signs to prevent accidents, noting several incidents involving both locals and tourists at night. The deterioration is attributed to heavy truck traffic and rainwater infiltration into the road’s gravel base.

 

Mr Thawat Chai, Director of the Phichit Highway District, explained that delays due to COVID-19 and the heavy use during construction contributed to the damage. He confirmed repair work has begun at some sites to mitigate risks during the rainy season. Longer-term plans include resurfacing and engineering corrections to meet safety standards.

 

The NACC office in Phichit has been coordinating with local authorities to monitor repair progress and ensure accountability. A full investigation is underway to determine whether construction standards and contractual obligations were met. Concerns have been raised by residents about possible corruption and the quality of construction materials used.

 

The highway department expects to start major resurfacing work within approximately 10 days, including grinding damaged areas and restoring the road surface. Warning signs and lighting will be installed to improve safety in damaged areas. Authorities have committed to regular reporting on repair progress until completion.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Highway 11 in Phichit, built for 1.413 billion baht, has suffered major damage less than a year after opening.

• Authorities attribute the deterioration to heavy traffic, rainfall, and possible construction flaws.

• The NACC is investigating and requiring ongoing repairs with regular progress reports.

 

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-09-27

 

 

 

 

Happy to hear they´ve launched an investigation. Not a day too late. This is common practice regarding roadworks in Thailand. There´s always one big and corrupted company that gets all the contracts for each province, money disappear, and a sloppy work is done, and the results are same in most places.

Every country i seem to travel to has roadworks everywhere, it's not unique to thailand.

Corruptions Corruptions Corruptions...