Bangkok: The Department of Highways (DOH) has celebrated its 23rd anniversary with a renewed commitment to enhancing economic connectivity and road safety. As part of this initiative, the department is advancing several key infrastructure projects, including rural highways, the Songkhla Lake Bridge, and the Koh Lanta Bridge, with expected results within four months.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, presided over the anniversary ceremony, which featured an exhibition on engineering at the Department of Rural Roads in Bangkok. The event was attended by Mr. Chaiyatham Phromsorn, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Mr. Phichit Hunsiri, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Rural Roads, Acting Director-General, along with other officials and civil servants.
Mr. Pipat emphasized the Ministry of Transport’s mission to develop comprehensive transportation infrastructure across land, rail, water, and air, aiming to facilitate convenient and safe travel while boosting the national economy. He highlighted the Department of Rural Roads’ role in developing secondary road networks to ensure equal access to economic, trade, and tourism opportunities.
Over the past 23 years, the Department of Rural Roads has consistently committed to developing roads that meet safety standards. Under the current government, led by Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, infrastructure development is focused on meeting public needs. In the coming months, the Ministry of Transport plans to expedite key projects in the southern region, including the Songkhla Lake Bridge Project and the Koh Lanta Bridge Project, valued at 6.5 billion baht. These projects aim to reduce travel time, improve safety, and stimulate economic growth in the region, with technical reviews by the World Bank underway.
Additionally, Mr. Pipat addressed challenges posed by flooding, which has affected rural highways across 22 provinces. Out of 59 damaged roads, 40 have reopened, while repairs are ongoing for the remaining 19. The Department of Rural Roads has been instructed to install temporary Bailey bridges and ensure road safety through signage and detours. Mr. Pipat reiterated the urgency of restoring full road operations to alleviate public inconvenience.