Patong tunnel project to start 'within 6 months': Pian Keesian

Phuket Gazette –

Patong Mayor Pian Keesin at the Phuket Graceland Resort outlining his vision of Patong's future. Photo: Nopparat Nambunyen

PHUKET: Patong Mayor Pian Keesin expects to get Cabinet approval for the multi-billion baht Patong Tunnel project “within six months”.

The project is now under review by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said Mayor Pian.

“According to our survey, 86.3 per cent of the high-ranking government officers who have seen the project details agree it should commence… so I believe we will receive the go-ahead within six months,” he said.

At a public meeting held in July last year, project consultants announced the proposed route for a three-kilometer tunnel.

However, the route sparked opposition from members of Patong’s Ban Mon Community, who feared they would be inadequately compensated for expropriated land needed for the project.

At that same meeting, study project manager Pongchanit Chuwiruch said the tunnel could be completed in six years “if all went well”.

In a recent poll of residents and tourists carried out by the Phuket Gazette, the Patong tunnel project received less than 5% of the votes, compared to over 50% who thought a decent airport bus service was more important.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle12142.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-01-29

Is Pian still banging on that 'money rich' old drum.

And you got to laugh at this quote "the tunnel could be completed in six years “if all went well”."

Considering the source this time, it really might happen.

There's going to be a lot of happy people getting in on this lucrative deal. How many billions of baht will this be over budget and how many years will it be over the proposed timeline to complete the project? This is a tea money collectors dream!

Public service or private greed ??

According to our survey, 86.3 per cent of the high-ranking government officers who have seen the project details agree it should commence.

In a recent poll of residents and tourists carried out by the Phuket Gazette, the Patong tunnel project received less than 5% of the votes, compared to over 50% who thought a decent airport bus service was more important

The channel tunnel took around 6 years to complete and ran 80% over budget. This is a black hole into which many many millions will disappear.

Note to self, open high end car dealership.

Public service or private greed.

Note to self, open high end car dealership.

Note to self. Avoid the Patong to Kathu road for the next 10 years.

Public service or private greed.

Note to self, open high end car dealership.

Note to self. Avoid the Patong to Kathu road for the next 10 years.

I don't think it affect traffic on the main road as the tunnel starts up beyond the other go kart track.

Public service or private greed ??

According to our survey, 86.3 per cent of the high-ranking government officers who have seen the project details agree it should commence.

In a recent poll of residents and tourists carried out by the Phuket Gazette, the Patong tunnel project received less than 5% of the votes, compared to over 50% who thought a decent airport bus service was more important

The channel tunnel took around 6 years to complete and ran 80% over budget. This is a black hole into which many many millions will disappear.

...except the Channel Tunnel is 50km long and is an undersea tunnel.

The Phuket Tunnel (Phunnel) will be 3km, not underwater and take the same amount of time?

In Thailand, if you own land, in theory, you own it to a depth that stops at the centre of the earth.

This means that the route the tunnel takes is going to be important as the owners of the land under which it runs will be paid rent for perpetuity.

It wouldn't surprise me if that land is owned by certain "influential" figures.

In Thailand, if you own land, in theory, you own it to a depth that stops at the centre of the earth.

This means that the route the tunnel takes is going to be important as the owners of the land under which it runs will be paid rent for perpetuity.

It wouldn't surprise me if that land is owned by certain "influential" figures.

Do you really think this was not factored in years and years ago.

Sure it was. I'm sure if you went to the land office it would turn up some interesting information about the who and when of said proposed land purchase.

Sure it was. I'm sure if you went to the land office it would turn up some interesting information about the who and when of said proposed land purchase.

Would I, or maybe even a reporter (hint hint) be able to do that ??