The Ministry of Transport has opened Highway 4140 connecting Tha Sala to Nopphitam in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, expanding the road to four lanes with a budget of 799 million baht. This project links 8 districts, elevating the economy, transportation, and tourism in the southern region of Thailand.
Mr. Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, presided over the opening ceremony. Highway No. 4140 (Hwy. 4140), the route connecting Tha Sala and Nopphitam districts in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, and monitored progress in developing the road transport network in the province. This aligns with the government’s infrastructure development policy under the leadership of the Prime Minister. Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, aiming to enhance national travel, transportation, and logistics systems while creating economic opportunities and improving citizens’ quality of life.
Mr. Pipat stated that Nakhon Si Thammarat is a province with high potential as an economic center, a strong agricultural sector, and a key cultural and natural tourism destination in the South. The government and Ministry of Transport recognize that fully developing the area’s potential requires a strong, safe, and seamless transport network. This enables people to travel conveniently, quickly, and safely, while improving freight transport efficiency, lowering logistics costs, and supporting trade, investment, and tourism nationwide.
The opening of Highway 4140 connects economic opportunities and improves the quality of life for residents in the area. Hwy. 4140 serves as a key route linking Tha Sala, Nopphitam, Phrom Khiri, and Sichon districts. It also connects with Highway 401 (Khok Khian-Nakhon Si Thammarat) and Highway 4186 (Rong Lek-Huai Phan), forming a major transport network in the province. This facilitates travel for residents, with the Ministry of Highways and Department of Rural Roads instructed to collaborate with provincial authorities and related agencies to plan road network development aligned with future area expansion. They are also preparing to manage emergencies and disasters to provide timely assistance to the public.
Additionally, presentations were received on road network development projects in Nakhon Si Thammarat from Highway District 16 and Rural Roads Office 11 to monitor infrastructure progress across eight districts: Mueang Nakhon Si Thammarat, Tha Sala, Nopphitam, Phrom Khiri, Phibun, Chawang, Chang Klang, and Lan Saka. These areas have strong potential for economic growth, tourism, education, and public health services.
Mr. Piyapong stated that the construction project for Hwy. 4140 from Tha Sala to Nopphitam covers kilometers 4+125.000 to 21+650.000, totaling 17.525 kilometers across Tha Sala and Nopphitam districts in Nakhon Si Thammarat. The project widens the highway from two lanes to a special standard four-lane highway, including upgrades to drainage systems, installation of lighting, traffic signals, and safety equipment throughout. The total construction budget is 799 million baht. This expansion is to accommodate increased traffic, enhance travel safety, and improve connectivity efficiency within Nakhon Si Thammarat and nearby areas. It aims to reduce limitations of the previous route, increase travel convenience, and strengthen the region’s long-term economic resilience.
The Ministry of Transport has established three key policies that all departments must rigorously follow: First, safety comes first, with urgent improvements to risk points, intersections, lighting, and safety equipment to ensure public confidence. Second, seamless connectivity, ensuring main and secondary routes efficiently link to support tourism, agriculture, trade, and investment. Third, public participation, requiring all projects to consider community involvement, minimize construction impacts, and maximize benefits to residents.
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