The Phuket Highways Office confirmed that penalties have continued to accrue since the project’s contractual completion deadline of April 24, with the total now exceeding B7 million.
Phuket Highways Office Chief Winai Kuemueang said the contractor, Better World Traffic Co Ltd, had submitted a request under Comptroller General’s Department Circular No 240, which allows contractors to seek a waiver or reduction of penalties in certain circumstances.
However, he stressed that the request remains under review and has not been approved.
“There has been no conclusion yet,” Mr Winai told The Phuket News.
“The contractor claims the delays were caused by the impact of conflict in the Middle East on the transportation of construction materials, but the supporting documents are still incomplete. We cannot make a decision based on verbal explanations alone. Clear documentary evidence is required,” he said.
Mr Winai also rejected claims circulating on social media that authorities had already agreed to waive the penalties.
“No approval has been given. The contractor is simply exercising its right to submit a request under Circular No 240. The committee has not approved any waiver or reduction of penalties,” he said.
“I have not signed any document approving a waiver or reduction of penalties. Penalties continue to be calculated in accordance with the contract,” he added.
Mr Winai explained that the contractor continues to incur liquidated damages of more than B100,000 per day while the project remains unfinished.
“The contractor will have an opportunity to submit supporting documents, and the committee will review the evidence again later this week before reaching any decision,” he said.
The contractor has indicated that all remaining work is expected to be completed by the end of this month.
The B48.412 million project, funded through the Southern Andaman Provinces Group’s 2025 budget, includes the installation and upgrading of smart lighting, electrical systems, CCTV cameras, speed cameras and remote traffic management systems at Phuket’s major highway underpasses.
The contract was signed on Sept 27, 2025, with a 210-day construction period ending on April 24 this year.
According to Mr Winai, work has already been completed at the Airport and Bang Khu underpasses, while crews continue installing systems at the Samkong, Darasamut and Chalong underpasses.
To allow the remaining work to proceed, overnight closures remain in effect at the affected underpasses from 8:30pm to 6am through July 15.
The project has been beset by delays for months. In March, provincial officials ordered an investigation after concerns were raised that little or no work had begun for several months following the signing of the contract. The findings of that investigation have not been released publicly.
The latest review meeting, chaired by Vice Governor Suwit Phansengiam, instructed officials to continue pushing for the project’s completion while ensuring that any decision on the contractor’s request for penalty relief complies with government procurement regulations.