10 May 2026 GMT+7On 10 May 2026, Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, along with Mr. Sanphet Boonyaman, Deputy Minister of Transport, conducted an inspection tour in Pattani province. The visit aimed to address infrastructure bottlenecks, monitor the service at Pattani coastal piers, review the dredging plan of Pattani shipping channels, assess the construction of grade-separated interchanges, and track highway expansion projects to boost the economic capacity of the southern border provinces. They were accompanied by Mr. Jirapong Theppitak, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport; Mr. Chakree Bamrungwong, Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Transport; Mr. Piyapong Jiwattanakulpaisan, Director-General of the Department of Highways; and Mr. Kritphet Chaichuay, Director-General of the Marine Department.
Minister of Transport Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the visit focused on resolving long-standing transportation bottlenecks to establish a strong land network supporting economic growth in the three southern border provinces. The Ministry is aware of frequent traffic congestion and accidents on main routes and has ordered accelerated land transport projects to concretely address these issues.
"Currently, we are fast-tracking construction of two key grade-separated interchanges: the Donyang interchange (intersection of Highways 42 and 43), which is 28.47% complete and ahead of schedule; and the Talubo interchange (intersection of Highways 42 and 410), now 53.69% complete.% expectedto be completed by September 2027."
Additionally, as part of long-term planning, we are expanding Highway 42 (Khlong Ngae to Sungai Kolok permanent border crossing) from two lanes to four lanes over a distance exceeding 25 kilometers. This will seamlessly connect travel between Songkhla, Pattani, and Narathiwat provinces. This network expansion is not merely road construction but a reduction in logistics costs, supporting trade, tourism, and revitalizing the southern border economy sustainably under the model city policy of the Stable, Prosperous, and Sustainable Triangle," Phiphat said.
Deputy Minister of Transport Sanphet Boonyamanspoke aboutadvancing solutions to water infrastructure constraints, stating that the Ministry is urgently resolving issues at Pattani coastal cargo piers, which currently lack users. The main causes are rental rate restrictions under Treasury regulations and complex legal management issues.
"We must urgently unlock this problem. In the short term, we are considering temporarily transferring management of the port to the Pattani Provincial Administrative Organization to activate its use. In the long term, discussions with relevant agencies will clarify the transfer of responsibilities and assets, aiming to make this port a water transport hub generating local income.""
Moreover, the dredging of the Pattani shipping channel has progressed over 56.48%(15.39% ahead of schedule), with completion expected in August 2026. Plans for continued work in 2026–2027 are underway to support future growth in commercial shipping.
Through collaboration across all Ministry of Transport sectors—addressing land traffic issues and unlocking water transport potential—we are tackling root causes and planning ahead to ensure these infrastructures coexist sustainably with communities and steadily nurture the southern border economy.
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