Gov Chamroen Tipayapongtada presided over a meeting yesterday (Sept 7) with officials and members of the private sector from the Andaman region to discuss economic issues, with the main topic of discussion being urgent projects for the island that Gov Chamroen wants PM Prayut Chan-o-cha to consider supporting.
Also in attendance at yesterday’s meeting were Vice Governor Prajiad Aksornthammakul, Maj Gen Teeraphol Thipjaroen, representatives from the Highways Department, Thailand Expressway, and Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning.
Gov Chamroen explained that Phuket has a number of urgent projects that need support from the PM such as the light rail, International Conference and Exhibition Centre, underpass projects, expressway and Andaman railway.
“The first project that we need to push for is the light rail project which is currently under study for a suitable plan and design that will least affect the environment. The project is waiting on its environmental report. We want this project to be included in the 2017 budget so we can start it early,” Gov Chamroen said.
“Next on the list is the International Conference and Exhibition Centre project which is planned to be built on 141 rai of government land in Mai Khao. The project has been studied and designed but it came to a stall because it did not get EIA approval.
“After many meetings we agreed to keep pushing for this project but set out to change it from a conference centre to a merchandise exhibition centre,” he added.
Governor Chamroen said that he will also bring up the Kathu-Patong tunnel project which is still awaiting the results of the EIA.
“Another project needing support from the PM support is the Andaman railway, we want to propose this project so that it can get approved and sent to relevant departments to study its plan.
“I will also ask for a budget for our new Muang Mai-Pa Khlok road project, a 13 kilometre road that will help ease traffic coming on to and leaving the island,” he said.