The Ministry of Transport visited Narathiwat to expedite infrastructure projects, advancing dredging works and addressing risk points on Highway 4056, aiming to improve quality of life and support the southern border trade economy.
Mr. Sanphet Boonyamanee, Deputy Minister of Transport, visited the area to monitor progress and accelerate key infrastructure and transport projects in Narathiwat province. He said the visit aimed to upgrade the transportation system, enhance transport efficiency, and improve public safety. Accompanying him were Mr. Kritphet Chaichuay, Director-General of the Marine Department, executives from the Marine Department and the Department of Highways, and officials from related agencies.
Mr. Sanphet said he followed up on the progress of the construction of a 260-meter-long embankment along the Ton Yong Mas Canal in Village No. 2, Ton Yong Mas Subdistrict, Ra-ngae District, Narathiwat. The project aims to prevent bank erosion, reduce damage to residential and agricultural areas near the canal, and strengthen long-term infrastructure stability. He instructed relevant agencies to carry out the work smoothly, with quality, and to maximize benefits for local residents.
Additionally, he monitored the implementation of the waterway development plan in Mueang Narathiwat District for fiscal year 2027, covering two projects: the dredging of Khlong Khok Kian near Ban Ba Khe in Khok Kian Subdistrict, spanning 650 meters with a bottom width of 15 meters and depth of 1.5 meters, involving about 20,000 cubic meters of dredging scheduled for February to March 2027; and the dredging of Khlong Pak Ao Narathat in Bang Nak Subdistrict, covering 300 meters with a bottom width of 15 meters and depth of 1.5 meters, involving about 15,000 cubic meters of dredging planned for March to April 2027. Once completed, these projects will reduce sediment buildup, allowing fishing boats and vessels to navigate more easily and safely, thereby supporting the coastal community's grassroots economy in Narathiwat.
Mr. Sanphet continued that monitoring local travel conditions revealed that sections of Highway 4056 at kilometers 15+600 and 16+911 are high-risk spots with repeated severe accidents over the past three years, especially near intersections and roundabouts where high speeds are common, resulting in several fatalities. Meanwhile, areas at kilometers 12+900 and 15+000 regularly face roadway flooding due to water runoff from nearby mountains. He therefore ordered the Department of Highways to urgently pursue solutions, including upgrading bridge and drainage systems, replacing box culverts with bridge structures, and widening existing bridges to improve water flow capacity, accommodate floodwaters, and enhance long-term travel safety for the public.
The Department of Highways reported progress on the construction of Highway 4056 from Narathiwat to Su-ngai Kolok, a 36.275-kilometer road widening to four lanes, divided into three phases: Phase 1 from Ban Khok Ta to Ban Kue Mek Kema between km 36+275 and km 47+775 covering 11.5 kilometers, completed in 2024; Phase 2 from Ban Buke Ta Mong to Ban Khok Ta between km 19+775 and km 36+275 covering 16.5 kilometers, currently in budget request stages for fiscal years 2027-2030; and Phase 3 from km 0+000 to km 19+775 covering 19.775 kilometers, connecting to the parallel bridge project over the Kolok River (the second Thai-Malaysia Friendship Bridge) to link transport networks to the Su-ngai Kolok border checkpoint, supporting economic growth, trade, tourism, and strengthening security in the southern border area.
For future plans, the Department of Highways has annual budget demands for fiscal years 2028-2029 to continue developing the national highway network in the southern border provinces. This includes construction and development projects to promote tourism and border trade industries on Highways 4056, 4066, 4057, 4300, and 4321; the Su-ngai Kolok bypass project; a new route between Betong and Sukirin; bridges over the Bang Nara River and the Ton Yong Mas railway crossing; as well as enhancing highway networks on routes 4055, 4155, 4168, 4058, and 4107. They also plan to upgrade secondary roads to improve travel and transport in the border area, alongside addressing risk points and maintaining bridges under Narathiwat Highway District responsibilities, and general highway maintenance to improve safety, reduce accidents, and boost economic, trade, and tourism linkages in the region.
Mr. Sanphet concluded by saying that the Ministry of Transport continues to develop transport infrastructure both on land and waterways in the southern border provinces, alongside improving residents’ quality of life to increase economic opportunities, enhance travel safety, and support strategic development for stable, prosperous, and sustainable growth in the border areas over the long term.
On this occasion, Mr. Sanphet also attended the Maulid event at Pru Chong Puey Park, Ban Yang Daeng, Na Pradu Subdistrict, Khok Pho District, Pattani Province to meet locals and help preserve the rich culture of Thai Muslims. The event is an important Islamic tradition commemorating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, featuring religious ceremonies, praise recitations, religious teachings, and community unity activities, reflecting the cultural diversity and social fabric of the southern border region.
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