No money to fix caved-in road in Koh Kaew, say officials

[webfact]

No money to fix caved-in road in Koh Kaew, say officials
Phuket Gazette


The damaged lane has been unusable for months, and recently cleaved off completely from the main road. Photo: Saran Mitrarat

PHUKET: -- A section of a busy road in Koh Kaew has collapsed, but despite a circle of finger-pointing by local officials, no repairs are likely until next year, due to lack of funds.

The road, Soi Koh Kaew 33, behind the Isuzu dealership on Thepkrasattri Road, leads to local villages and housing developments and is used as a shortcut to Kathu and Patong.

Repairs made months ago failed almost immediately and now deep crevasses run down one lane, causing large chunks of the road to split off.

“We fixed that section once because we were worried about villagers, but the Department of Rural Roads is actually responsible for it,” said Pranom Keawprang, the Chief Administrative Officer of the Koh Kaew Tambon Administration Organization (OrBorTor).

“We have a plan to fix it,” Teeraporn Jirarattnakorn, Chief of the Department of Rural Roads Phuket Office, told the Phuket Gazette.

“We asked the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization [PPAO] for 9 million baht, and they said we would get it this year, but then they postponed it to next year. I don’t know why.

“I know it’s a problem, but we don’t have the money to do anything. My hands are tied.”

One PPAO official laid the blame with the local OrBorTor.

“The problem was caused by the trucks. Normally 10-wheeled trucks are not allowed to use this street, but the Koh Kaew OrBorTor allowed it,” said Winit Hongatikul, Secretary to the President of the PPAO.

Another PPAO official, Public Works Director Wassana Srivilai, said he was aware of the problem but didn’t have the funds to help.

“We promised to help the Department of Rural Roads, but I don’t think we will have the money this year,” he said.

Meanwhile, local traffic continues to squeeze by the orange cones demarcating the collapse and those who use the road are left to ponder the delay.

“When will it be fixed? Or do they want this road to kill someone?” mused one local resident who declined to be named.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/No-money-fix-cavedin-road-Koh-Kaew/29574#ad-image-0


-- Phuket Gazette 2014-05-27

[ggt]

“When will it be fixed? Or do they want this road to kill someone?” mused one local resident who declined to be named.

It will be fixed...when a military leader decides it is in their best interest...they only want the red leaders to meet misfortune on this road...and it was a good idea...to decline to be named...you are one smart cookie...

[lucjoker]

Find out who is in charge for this road,can't be difficult

find out how much money he got for taking care of the road the last 5 years,

If this money went into his pocket instead of the road .......hang him on a post next of the road ,

sell all his family belongings and use his family as slave-workers and their money to repair the road ,

In future ,the families of officials (with this kind of job or another ),will take care of the official themselves,by watching and controlling him and report

him to the junta ( hope they stay on for ever) when ever they suspect him of fraud (buying big houses,sport cars.... )

Do this all over the world .

[Valentine]

With underpass construction going on alternative routes are helpful but now this one is basically out of commission. There are repairs happening on this road further up & around the corner.

[SOTIRIOS]

....sick....so much revenue...but no funds.....

[belg]

fixing a road or anything is like thai warranty... 7 days

most things build here at not ment to last, that would be bad for thai economy

[NamKangMan]

This is a fine example of the failing infastructure on Phuket, and to blame the lack of funding is just pathetic.

[steelepulse]

Shoddy repairs initially ( after funds for a proper repair were siphoned off ) and now "no budget". If the original budget wasn't raided, the road would probably still be passable.

[NamKangMan]

Shoddy repairs initially ( after funds for a proper repair were siphoned off ) and now "no budget". If the original budget wasn't raided, the road would probably still be passable.

The irony is, those "influential people" that "raided the budget" go and buy nice expensive European cars, then can't drive on the very roads the budget was allocated for.