Central Festival Phuket underpass now officially open
Nattapat Tuarob


Government officials officially open the finished Central Festival underpass.

PHUKET: -- The long awaited opening of the Central Festival underpass finally took place today (April 6). Work on the underpoass commenced on November 23 2012.

A ceremony was held to mark the opening and saw Minister of Transport Air Chief Marshall Prajin Juntong and Minister of Finace Sommai Phasee together with officials from various local government agencies in attendance.

Speaking at the opening Minister of Finance, Sommai Phasee said, “This is the first government project which two ministers have been invited to join at the same time.

“I've never seen such event in my life, and this is what can happen with coordination.

“Usually, the cabinet will be a colation of ministers from different political party, but in Prayuth's cabinet we are from the same party, we help each other.

“I think Phuket is a popular tourist destination, but we don't have adequate bays for aeroplanes. Those billionaires who come with their private jets and VIPs should have bays at the aiport to support them,” he said.

He also said that future transport projects will run smoothly as the Ministry of Finance will provide loans for the Ministry of Transport.

“I want to say that when government agencies work closely with each other, without being cut across, the benefit all goes to the people.

“We are not just supporting Phuket, many places in the country want money to build roads, and the government has a policy for road creation across the country.

“I want to tell the people of Phuket and relevant officers to take care of the underpass, leave it clean and nice, especially with regards to litter,” said Mr Sommai.

Minister of Transport ACM Prajin Juntong also spoke and said, “I would like to thank the Phuket governor and Minister Sommai for supporting this successful underpass project.”

Director General of Highway Department, Choosak Kewee said, “Phuket will have two more underpasses constructed which are at the Bang Ku junction and Chalong Circle.

“These projects will now be sped up as the Ministry of Transport will receive a stimulus package from the Ministry of Finance in June.

“Contracts for these projects should be signed soon, and within two years Phuket will have four underpasses.”

Minister Sommai added that the total budget allocated for the Highway Departments and Rural Highway Departments throughout the country is B40,000 million.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/central-festival-phuket-underpass-now-officially-open-51750.php


-- Phuket News 2015-04-06

Minister of Transport ACM Prajin Juntong also spoke and said, “I would like to thank the Phuket governor and Minister Sommai for supporting this successful underpass project.”

The first big rain will show us if it is a big success or only the new big central pond.

Sure doesn't look very wide for 3 lanes. What's the over/under on days until the first accident?

what is the clearance can a truck fit inside ? OUCH !!!!!

Closed at 1800 when I went past. 3 big red X's on the overhead lane designator and witches hats blocking it.

So much for the big fanfare

open? oh no it isn't!! http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-underpass-opens-but-doesnt-51752.php

23:30 still not open, maybe more roof cracks detected?

open? oh no it isn't!! http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-underpass-opens-but-doesnt-51752.php

How does one test flood pumps without water? Silly is as silly does. 555.

How is it "officially" open when it's not open? These high up gov't officials couldn't be arsed to come back down when it is really open, or is it a face saving gesture that it would be open before Songkran, even when it isn't open?

Minister of Transport ACM Prajin Juntong also spoke and said, “I would like to thank the Phuket governor and Minister Sommai for supporting this successful underpass project.”

The first big rain will show us if it is a big success or only the new big central pond.

According to the weather forecast (http://www.theweathernetwork.com/14-day-weather-trend/thailand/phuket/phuket) the first rain should be with us on or shortly after next Saturday. Fingers crossed.

Stuck in a traffic jam this afternoon - only one lane southbound open and total traffic jam for several hundred metres.

What a joke.

Will anyone in Bangkok hear about this farce? No, but I bet they'll get copies of the pictures of these incompetent *****'s.

Anyone got an email address for Minister of Transport Air Chief Marshall Prajin Juntong and Minister of Finace Sommai Phasee. I'd like to tell them what I think.

Or should I use the "Line" app?

How is it "officially" open when it's not open? These high up gov't officials couldn't be arsed to come back down when it is really open, or is it a face saving gesture that it would be open before Songkran, even when it isn't open?

used it twice today, open in both directions.