The tunnel sees an average of three to four accidents per month, according to Pol Lt Col Wutthiwat Liangboonjinda, Deputy Superintendent of Traffic at Wichit Police Station, which stands just one kilometre from the busy underpass
“It’s a known trouble spot,” he said. “Almost all accidents that happen there are due to poor visibility, often made worse by speeding drivers,” Pol Lt Col Wutthiwat told The Phuket News.
“In terms of underpass improvements, there may not be much we can do, as maintenance falls under the responsibility of the relevant agencies.
“As for the police, our duty is to enforce the law, and Wichit Police Station sets up a checkpoint at the entrances of the Darasamut Underpass every day. Before you enter the underpass, there’s a checkpoint and a sign reminding drivers to slow down,” Pol Lt Col Wutthiwat said.
“However, adjusting the lighting or improving the underpass structure for safety is the responsibility of the Phuket Highways Office or the relevant agencies. We have asked them to make improvements many times before,” he added.
“Most of the accidents involve private cars, as visibility is often greatly deteriorated when driving through the underpass. Speeding may also be a contributing factor. Of course, driver behaviour also plays a role in causing accidents,” Pol Lt Col Wutthiwat noted.
“As for motorbikes, they are strictly prohibited from entering the underpass. We always enforce the law. If we see a motorcycle entering or exiting the underpass, we immediately issue a warning,” he said.
THE DODGE
Somkit Kittisopit, Chief of the Phuket Highways Office, was divided on his own recognition of poor visibility being a major factor of rear-end accidents in the Darasamut Underpass ‒ saying both its was a major contributing factor, but also not a main factor in causing accidents.
First, Mr Somkit admitted a main cause of accidents in the underpass is motorists entering the relative dark of the tunnel while drivers’ eyes are still accustomed to bright daylight outside.
Yet, he went on to say, “Now the lights are on and they are being replaced all the time. But I insist that we check often and see that it is still bright.
“Sometimes, accidents happen simply because of carelessness. We’ve put up warning signs to remind drivers to be cautious,” he added.
He also dodged confirmation by police that poor visibility was a main factor causing accidents in the underpass: “The police can only say so much ‒ it’s still clearly visible,” he insisted.
Yet, while saying that, Mr Somkit was very happy to break the news that his office will be spending B50 million on replacing all the lighting in all five underpasses on the island.
While breaking the news, Mr Somkit avoided any mention of poor visibility in the underpasses ‒ and avoided any mention that this was a factor in spending B50 million on the lighting upgrade.
BLAMING THIEVES
“The danger is compounded by the ongoing deterioration of the lighting system, which has been repeatedly targeted by thieves,” Mr Somkit said.
“The system was already in poor shape when I assumed the position as chief of the Phuket Highways Office six months ago,” he continued. “Thieves had stolen most of the electrical wiring. By the time some were caught, the damage was already extensive, and the system had completely failed.”
Mr Somkit said that repair crews have been “working non-stop” to replace the stolen cables and restore functionality.
The ageing infrastructure and lack of consistent maintenance over the years have made long-term fixes increasingly difficult, he admitted.
Or note, the Darasamut Underpass this year is only 10 years old.
“Our electricians have been on the ground continuously, trying to patch the system back together. But this approach isn’t sustainable,” Mr Somkit said. “That’s why we’re pushing for a complete overhaul. We’re now in the process of finalising plans and expect to begin rebuilding soon. It won’t be long.”
The new initiative, he stressed, marks a turning point in Phuket’s approach to public safety and infrastructure resilience, prioritising both technology and preventative design to reduce risks and restore public confidence.
THE PROJECT
The plan to upgrade the lighting in all five underpasses in Phuket includes installing automatic lighting and CCTV systems, Mr Somkit explained.
Each underpass has been allocated a budget of B10mn, he added.
According to Mr Somkit, the new lighting system will feature energy-efficient, automated lights capable of adjusting brightness levels in real time to suit traffic and visibility conditions.
“The Phuket Highways Office has discussed with the Phuket Governor the plan to install more efficient, automatic lighting that can be adjusted,” Mr Somkit said. “The contract is expected to be officially announced by next month.”
In total, 191 modern lighting units will be installed, replacing older, deteriorated systems that have suffered repeated damage from both wear and vandalism.
“This project is building a safer, smarter, and more resilient Phuket,” Mr Somkit emphasised.
“We expect work to begin by September 2025, with work at all five underpasses launched simultaneously. Coordination between the Phuket Highways Office’s engineering team and the contractor will ensure efficient implementation,” he added.
Mr Somkit declined to confirm the exact start date, saying only that an official announcement is expected next month. However, he noted that construction will begin as soon as possible after the contract is signed with the selected company.
“We plan to rebuild the system entirely ‒ modern, efficient and durable,” he said. “Due to repeated theft and technical breakdowns, the current setup has been damaged beyond repair. We’re taking this opportunity to start fresh, using better technology.”
A key feature of the new system is light adaptability ‒ designed to prevent both excessive glare and inadequate brightness, which are common complaints from drivers.
“Too bright isn’t good, too dark isn’t either,” Mr Somkit said. “We’re looking into a system that adjusts intelligently based on real-time conditions.
“The Phuket Governor recently visited China and observed several smart systems that inspired new ideas for our province. We’re working to bring those innovations here,” he concluded.