PM Srettha landed at Phuket airport at 1pm yesterday (July 5) and made his way to the Heroines Monument, where he was briefed on the underpass project, aimed at alleviating severe traffic congestion in the area.
Accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, who also serves as Minister of Transport, PM Srettha addressed the local community’s concerns and outlined plans to prevent flooding in the new tunnel.
Srisoonthorn Mayor Chalermphon Kerdsap, along with local representatives, expressed happiness about the tunnel construction but raised concerns about potential flooding inside the tunnel during heavy rain. They stressed the need for an effective drainage system, noting that past flooding had caused significant problems.
"We are happy about the tunnel construction but worried about water flooding the tunnel. We urge the government to incorporate effective drainage solutions," Mayor Chalermphon said.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the severe traffic congestion and flooding problems at the Heroines Monument. He confirmed that the government had approved the budget for the tunnel project, which is expected to be completed by 2026.
He said the Ministry of Transport had detailed the issue: the 26-kilometre road has seven traffic lights, one roundabout and 12 U-turn points, all contributing to slow traffic.
PM Srettha assured residents that their concerns were being taken seriously, directing relevant agencies to study and implement drainage routes to prevent tunnel flooding.
He emphasised the need to address tunnel flooding due to its location along a waterway. He instructed provincial officials to prepare support plans, such as installing water pumps and drainage channels, without impacting surrounding communities.
While waiting for the tunnel’s completion, short-term measures include blocking certain sections to speed up traffic and expanding city roads to distribute vehicles more efficiently, he said.
PM Srettha expressed confidence that these measures would significantly reduce both traffic and flooding issues in Phuket in the short and long term.
“We are committed to addressing both traffic congestion and flooding in Thalang District. The government has approved the budget for this tunnel project to ease traffic woes. We understand that this road, with its numerous traffic lights, roundabouts, and U-turn points, causes significant delays. We have implemented short-term measures to speed up traffic flow and plan to expand the city’s road network." the PM said.
“Approximately 200 households have been affected by past flooding. With these short-term and long-term measures, we believe that both traffic and flooding problems in Phuket will be significantly reduced," Prime Minister Srettha concluded.
According to one official report of the PM’s visit, “His commitment to addressing these issues moved some villagers to tears, grateful that their concerns were being heard.”
KAMALA LANDSLIDES
PM Srettha also visited areas in the hills above Kamala affected by recent landslides, which were described as occurring in “Baan Hua Khuan Tai in Kathu”.
While specifically mentioning the village by name, local official reports omitted using the searchable word of the general locality: Kamala
The visit was aimed at assessing the damage and coordinating immediate relief efforts at Baan Hua Khuan Tai, a village severely impacted by the landslides earlier this week, said one official report.
However, the area in the hills has no obvious large construction projects underway. The landslides appear to be natural.
Not specifically mentioned in local official reports of the PM’s visit was that homes at the base of the hill, on the fringes of Kamala town, were inundated by mud in the water runoff in the heavy downpours last week.
Accompanied by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat, the Director-General of the Department of Water Resources, and the Director-General of the Department of Highways, the Prime Minister received a detailed briefing on the current situation and ongoing assistance efforts for the affected residents, said the official report.
The landslides, triggered by continuous heavy rainfall, have caused significant disruption in at least 18 locations across three districts. The saturated soil, unable to absorb any more water, has led to these multiple incidents of land displacement, the report said.
Addressing the urgent need for solutions, Prime Minister Srettha ordered the immediate implementation of floodways to manage water flow and prevent further damage. He also requested detailed maps of landslide-prone areas in Phuket to discuss long-term preventive measures with Jatuporn Buruspat, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Of note, such plans the identification of risk areas already for decades have been required as part of the provincial natural disaster response plan.
During his visit, the Prime Minister interacted with local residents, who recounted the unprecedented landslides. Many, having lived in the area for decades, expressed their gratitude for the Prime Minister’s direct involvement, another official report noted.
Prime Minister Srettha acknowledged the severity of the situation, emphasising the need for both short-term and long-term solutions.
“In the short term, we must focus on creating floodways and expanding water channels to prevent overflow and protect the residents,” he stated. He further stressed the importance of establishing early warning systems and reinforced structures, such as dams and terraces, to mitigate future risks.
The Prime Minister highlighted the necessity of identifying and addressing other vulnerable areas beyond the immediate crisis. "From the maps provided by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, we see at least seven to eight other critical spots that need attention," he said.
When questioned about the measures for safeguarding homes in high-risk zones, Prime Minister Srettha assured that every effort would be made to protect the residents without causing undue disruption.
He also expressed confidence in the local government’s capacity to manage the situation, acknowledging the unprecedented nature of the landslides.
During a follow-up visit to a water drainage site near Kamala Post Office, the Prime Minister was warmly welcomed by residents, who were eager to express their support and gratitude, another report noted, repeating the issue of local residents’ gratitude for such a visit.
Prime Minister Srettha concluded his visit with a commitment to bring the issue to the Cabinet, urging swift and comprehensive action.
"Our officials understand the urgency, and with careful planning, we can control and mitigate these risks effectively," he assured.
Of note, during his visit PM Srettha did not stop by the residential areas in Tambon Thepkrasattri and Srisoonthorn which were the most severely affected areas by the flooding durng heavy downpours last weekend, leaving hundreds displaced.