Minister of Tourism and Sports Explores Area for Bridge Construction at Ko Nang Kum, Phatthalung Province

          On 7 January 2022 at 04.00 pm,  Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports, visited Ban Tha Nian to witness the area in which a bridge will be constructed to connect between Ban Tha Nian, Ko Nang Kum Subdistrict, Pak Phayun District, Phatthalung Province, to Ban Pak Cha, Khuan Niang District, Songkhla Province. He was joined by Dr. Natee Ratchakitprakarn, Chair of the Committee of Advisors to the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul), Mr. Khemmapol Auitayakul, Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Sports, Mr. Kukiat Wongkrapant, Phatthalung Provincial Governor, executives from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, administrators of Phatthalung Province, and local residents who welcomed the minister.

          Minister Phiphat said that the construction of the bridge will facilitate the commute for locals in both provinces and significantly reduce travel time. Most importantly, the bridge will promote a circle of tourism especially for destinations featuring nature, culture, traditions, and historical importance in both provinces. Thus, the location of the bridge is optimal. The minister added that he will bring up this matter of the bridge project with the Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and seek the budget for its construction as soon as possible. Moreover, if there are no further issues, the construction of the bridge should commence within this year.

           The bridge is expected to be 200 meters long, and will be a curved steel-reinforced concrete bridge, with the overall budget not exceeding 100 million baht. The first step is to obtain a permit for the project from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation as the area is in the wildlife non-hunting zone. If the permit is granted, public opinion must also be sought from local residents and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) must be conducted before the construction may take place.

           However, locals at Ban Tha Nian, Ko Nang Kum Subdistrict, Pak Phayun District, voiced their agreement about the bridge construction project as the bridge will allow them to travel with more convenience and boost tourist and the local economy for residents in both provinces.