The scrutiny follows an Open House event held yesterday (Mar 19) by the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) Region 8, which brought together government agencies, private sector representatives and members of the public to address complaints over the stalled project.
Led by NACC Region 8 Director Suphap Siri, officials met with the Phuket Highways Office and other relevant agencies to review progress on the project, which covers improvements to tunnel lighting and electrical systems at five major underpasses in Phuket.
The project, valued at B48,412,000, is funded under the Andaman Coast Southern Provinces Group budget for 2025. The contract was signed on Sept 27, 2025, with a 210-day completion period ending Apr 24, 2026.
However, as of this week, 140 days into the contract period, no physical work has yet been carried out.
The planned upgrades include the installation of LED lighting, electrical fault warning systems, licence plate recognition equipment and smart traffic signage, as well as the removal of existing lighting infrastructure. The works also include the establishment of a centralised remote monitoring and control system aimed at enhancing Phuket’s “smart city” capabilities.
The upgrades are to be implemented at five key underpasses: Phuket Airport, Bang Khu, Samkong, Darasomut and the Chalong Five-Intersection.
Phuket Highways Office Director Winai Kuemueang told the meeting that the department had issued seven formal letters to the contractor seeking clarification over the lack of progress.
In response, the contractor stated that delays were due to the need for custom-manufactured materials and pending approvals from the project inspection committee. Some materials have now been delivered to Phuket, and the contractor has revised its work plan.
According to the contractor, installation work is scheduled to begin on Mar 25, with a commitment to complete the project within the contractual timeframe.
Despite the assurances, officials raised concerns over the feasibility of completing the works on schedule, as well as the potential impact on traffic during construction.
The inspection team instructed the Phuket Highways Office to strictly supervise the contractor to ensure all work complies with engineering standards and approved specifications, and to enforce penalties if deadlines are not met.
Officials also stressed the need for clear traffic management measures during construction to minimise disruption to road users. The Highways Office confirmed that staff have been deployed at affected underpasses around the clock to assist with traffic flow.
Authorities further called on the department to publicly disclose both the construction timeline and traffic management plans to improve transparency and keep residents informed.
The NACC Region 8 office said it will continue to closely monitor the situation and ensure that any issues surrounding the delayed project are addressed.