In the enchanting paradise that is Phuket, an ambitious project is unfolding—a tangible bridge between dreams and reality, quite literally! Indeed, we’re talking about the much-anticipated Kathu-Patong expressway, affectionately known to many as the Patong Tunnel project. The curtain rises on an investment of an impressive 16.76 billion baht, a sum promising to knit the landscapes of Patong and Kathu with futuristic flair.
The dance of innovation kicks off with the completion of land expropriation—a melodious symphony of land clearing already undertaken by the diligent Patong Municipality. Assigned this principal role by the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT), they are clearing the stage in anticipation of the project’s official premiere by September 7. Echoing through the corridors of progress, Weerawit Kreuasombat, esteemed President of the Patong Municipality Council, triumphantly announces the great expropriation has succeeded, and the land is now being primed for its transformative makeover.
In a display of fiscal mastery, the mycelium of land expropriation alone commands a budget of around 5 billion baht (a staggering US$153.79 million). With the symphony of heavy machinery warming up backstage, around 230 delighted landowners have already reaped their rewards from EXAT’s coffers. This, however, is merely the prologue. The project budget has gracefully leapt from 14.49 billion baht (US$445.68 million) to an astonishing 16.76 billion baht (around US$516.76 million). Such fiscal evolution was catalyzed by the decision to eschew the Public-Private Partnership model for a full government-backed production, complete with land acquisition and structural dance.
The crescendo came in late 2023, with EXAT board members nodding in unison to approve revisions encompassing inflated costs and nimble measures for tunnel fortification. A majestic allocation of 10.96 billion baht (US$337 million) gracefully bows for construction, with land acquisition and rights weaving the choreography at 5.79 billion baht (US$178 million).
And there it lies—a tapestry unfurling over a 3.98-kilometre path commencing in Patong at the pivotal Phra Metta Road junction. From there, an ethereal elevated road gazes down upon Phisit Gorani Road, continuing through a theatrical double tunnel that converses with the whispers of the Nakkerd Hills, finally culminating in Kathu near the bustling Highway 4029.
As the narrative enfolds towards a dazzling crescendo, the project eagerly awaits its Cabinet debut in March 2024. Construction curtains are slated to part in October 2025, and its triumphant finale anticipated by October 2028.
With a royal decree echoing through the chambers of the Government Gazette on June 1, 2023, the Ministry called upon Patong Municipality to assist compensated property owners in the graceful dismantling of structures by the symbolic deadline of September 7. As the timeline unfurls, Patong Municipality curates public enlightenment, deftly orchestrating collaborations with Chirawat Inthrachit, an eminent EXAT legal maestro.
And so, with unwavering resolve and an eye toward the future, the intricate gears of this modern marvel continue to spin, paving the way for the travelers of tomorrow. The Kathu-Patong expressway isn’t just a project; it’s a grand production, uniting the artistry of engineering and the promise of connectivity in the heart of Phuket. As heaven meets earth in this ballet of construction, we eagerly await each forward step as it brings us closer to this enchanting new link we can, one day, proudly traverse.
This Patong Tunnel project seems like a massive waste of money! Phuket doesn’t need another concrete monster ruining its natural beauty.
But Larry, wouldn’t this project help reduce traffic and boost tourism? It might actually preserve more areas by concentrating travel along one route.
I don’t buy it, Sophia. It’s always about the money and interests of developers, not the environment or locals.
Larry is right! These projects often promise benefits but end up being more harmful in the long run.
16.76 billion baht is a ridiculous amount of money! Couldn’t they use that cash for something more urgent like education or healthcare in Phuket?
I see your point, Joe. But infrastructure like this can drive economic growth, which might indirectly fund those sectors too.
Yeah, but Rajiv, projects like these don’t always pan out the way they’re planned. So much money wasted on false promises!
Does anyone know if this expressway will have any environmental checkpoints? It’s right over important hills, after all.
Kathy, they rarely consider environmental impacts in these big projects, unfortunately. It’s all overshadowed by economic gain.
That’s really concerning, T. Henderson. I wish there was a way for locals to have a say in these matters.
We need to push for more transparency in these projects. Proper EIA should be mandatory!
This sounds like an engineering marvel. I’m excited to see it being built, but I do worry about the impacts of the cost overruns.
Cost overruns are inevitable in projects this size Amelia. The key is managing them to mitigate impact.
True, Engineer57! I just hope they don’t neglect other critical issues while focusing on these grand projects.
This project seems like a win-win. Better infrastructure and more tourism—what’s not to like?
But what about the locals being pushed out of their homes? This project sounds like a convenient excuse for land grabs.
Chris, land grabbing is indeed a concern, but compensation is supposedly being given. It’s never a simple situation, though.
What about the cultural impact? With tourism growth, will Patong lose its charm and become just another commercial zone?
Exactly, Alex! The ‘charm’ is already fading with over-tourism, and this might only exacerbate it.
I really hope they include some public participation. Projects like these need the support of the communities they impact.
A project of this scale is bound to face delays. I wouldn’t get my hopes up about meeting those construction deadlines.