Highway Department Reportedly Plans To Build Roads Through Protected Forests

[Jai Dee]

The Highway Department reportedly plans to build roads through forests

The National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department will check with the Highway Department about reports that the latter is planning to build roads through four protected forests in the South.

Department chief Damrong Pidej (ดำรงค์ พิเดช) said he was informed by Seub Nakhasathian (สืบ นาคะเสถียร) Foundation that the Highway Department was surveying areas in three wildlife sanctuaries and a national park in Surat Thani and Ranong.

Mr. Damrong said those forests are fertile and rich in flora and fauna. He said he will discuss with the Highway Department chief effects of the road construction on the environment and ecological systems.

Mr. Damrong said the Highway Department has already agreed to build a tunnel underneath a two-kilometre section of Route 304 in Thap Lan (ทับลาน) national park in Prachin Buri instead of an overpass planned earlier. The construction should be completed before 2012, he added.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 05 July 2006