Electric Pole Found Blocking Phitsanulok Concrete Road

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September 27, 2025Sep 27

Picture courtesy of Matichon

Residents in Phitsanulok raised safety concerns after an electricity pole was found partially obstructing a newly built concrete road in Ban Khlong subdistrict. The pole protrudes 50 centimetres into the carriageway of Damri Phatthana Soi 8, prompting fears of accidents. District and municipal officials inspected the site on 24 September and confirmed the issue.

The controversy began when a Facebook post highlighted that the road was too narrow and further blocked by an electricity pole. The post quickly spread online, drawing attention to the unusual placement and sparking complaints from residents. The road had recently been upgraded from a gravel path to a concrete road using public funds.

On 24 September, Phitsanulok district chief Patcharapol Manpan assigned district clerk Wattana Suratsamanee to inspect the road with Chaiyanat Singhaboon, deputy mayor of Ban Khlong and the local civil works chief. They confirmed that while the public road is legally three metres wide, residents had long believed it was to be six metres wide because of the earlier gravel layout. The contractors had poured the new concrete road within the official boundary, leaving the existing electricity pole in place.

Deputy mayor Chaiyanat explained that the poles now intrudes 50 centimetres into the road, further narrowing the passage for vehicles. He said a letter would be sent to the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) to request relocation of the pole. However, the move would require breaking concrete and allocating a budget to cover the relocation costs.

When asked why the issue had not been addressed before the roadwork, Chaiyanat noted that moving the pole entirely could affect privately owned land nearby. He said property owners may not agree to allow relocation onto their land, limiting options for correction. For the time being, officials plan to move the pole closer to the road edge, though this would still leave it adjacent to the concrete carriageway.

Chaiyanat added that a long-term solution might require negotiation with landowners or even the purchase of adjoining land to widen the public road. Discussions with the Ban Khlong municipality mayor are ongoing. Authorities aim to balance road safety with respect for property rights while ensuring compliance with public works standards.