Trang: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, has directed immediate action to address "high-risk areas, bottlenecks, and narrow bridges" to mitigate accidents in Trang Province. During a site visit to Huai Yot District, Mr. Pipat listened to the concerns of local residents about road safety, prompting a call for urgent solutions to improve the road network that connects communities, agriculture, and tourism.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Pipat's visit follows persistent reports and complaints from Members of Parliament in Trang Province about road safety issues. The problems include narrow roads, absence of shoulders, sharp curves, and bottlenecked bridges that frequently cause accidents leading to property damage, injuries, and fatalities. Mr. Pipat emphasized the need for immediate inspection of warning signs, traffic and road lane markings, lighting, and visibility improvements at high-risk areas as measures that can be implemented without delay.
The directive calls on the Department of Highways, the Department of Rural Roads, and related agencies to differentiate between solutions that can be executed immediately and those requiring additional budget or construction. Immediate measures include enhancing road safety features without waiting for large-scale construction projects. For roads and bridges that serve as bottlenecks, Mr. Pipat insisted on detailed surveys with local residents and MPs to prioritize urgent safety improvements.
Mr. Pipat highlighted the importance of empathy, questioning how one would feel if a family member were involved in an accident. He stressed the need for quick actions to prevent further loss of life. The minister also pointed out that Trang's road network supports residents' travel, agricultural transport, and tourism, with crucial routes like Highway 419 and Highway 4267 being key to these activities despite having narrow sections.
Additionally, the development of Trang's transportation infrastructure is seen as vital for boosting tourism potential. Mr. Pipat mentioned ongoing studies to extend the runway at Trang Airport to accommodate larger aircraft, thus enhancing connectivity with the international tourist market.
The visit to Trang Province is just the beginning of an ongoing effort. Mr. Pipat plans to return for further evaluation of the province's transportation network and hold discussions with local authorities and agencies to address high-risk areas and bottlenecks urgently.