The Deputy Minister of Transport visited Mae Hong Son to accelerate solutions for landslides on Highways 108 and 1194, ordering the Department of Highways and the Department of Rural Roads to keep machinery on standby and providing budget support for sustainable road structure repairs.
Mr. Patthapong Pataraprasit, Deputy Minister of Transport, conducted an inspection in Mae Hong Son province to monitor the operations of agencies under the Ministry of Transport. He gathered opinions and suggestions from the public to expedite improvements and development of the transportation network and resolve travel disruptions, especially landslides affecting highways. This aims to ensure convenient, safe, and continuous travel for the public. Accompanying him were Mr. Sombat Yasin, Mae Hong Son Member of Parliament; Mr. Jirapong Thepphitak, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Transport; Mr. Kiattichai Chaireungyot, Inspector General of the Ministry of Transport; Mr. Anusak Khaonuna, Deputy Governor of Mae Hong Son; local Ministry of Transport executives; provincial officials; and relevant staff. The visit on Friday, 14 August 2026, covered Highway 108 near the Mae Sariang Museum junction and Highway 1194 affected by floods, disasters, and the Mae Sariang district office area in Mae Hong Son.
Mr. Patthapong stated that following the monitoring of improvement plans, preparations are underway to address issues at several key points, including:
Highway 108 (Mae Sariang Museum junction) is planned to be upgraded into a large intersection with traffic lights installed, with a budget of approximately 25-50 million baht to reduce accident risks.
On Highway 108 (Mae Rid-Huai Ngu Bridge), at a location with a wide subsidence of the road embankment, soil will be excavated to reopen the path, and a repair plan with a budget of 5 million baht is underway. At another spot with soil collapse covering the roadway, new structures and drainage systems will be constructed with a budget of 25 million baht.
Highway 1194 (Mae Sariang-Mae Sam Laep) is currently undergoing budget planning for repairs totaling 24 million baht.
Highway 1285 (Thung Masan-Huai Phueng) is preparing an urgent budget request of 1.5 million baht.
Afterward, he visited the Mae Sariang district office to receive additional information on infrastructure, transportation, and local issues from residents and agencies. This aims to define solutions and push the Ministry of Transport's initiatives in line with government policies, focusing on urgent assistance and concrete problem-solving for affected communities.
Mr. Patthapong added that he is ready to listen directly to residents since they are the ones impacted by road conditions and current situations. Solutions must consider user safety, travel continuity, and impacts on daily life and the local economy. From June to early August, heavy continuous rainfall caused landslides, falling rocks, and flash floods depositing mud on several sections of Highway 108. Currently, the road can be opened for alternating lane travel with caution in certain areas.
Developing an online real-time warning and traffic reporting system.
Structural repairs by building sustainable concrete retaining walls.
Positioning heavy machinery at high-risk points to open routes immediately when incidents occur.
The Department of Highways and Department of Rural Roads have been tasked to integrate efforts and coordinate with relevant agencies to monitor situations, assess road impacts, and carry out repairs within their authority. They must enable quick reopening and facilitate public travel after incidents while planning prevention and risk reduction measures for the future. Traffic management is to be tightened, especially for large trucks passing risky areas, with close safety monitoring. Public communication about route use is to be comprehensive, with warning signs and traffic cones installed at spots with shoulder subsidence or landslide risks.
Information and suggestions regarding infrastructure development, travel problems, and impacts caused by heavy rain and landslides from local residents are to be used by relevant agencies to learn lessons, develop, and expedite transport solutions aligned with local conditions and public needs.
The Ministry of Transport emphasizes developing Mae Hong Son's transport network, given its mountainous geography and route limitations. The focus is on infrastructure maintenance, emergency route management, and raising safety standards to build public confidence. This also supports travel, tourism, and economic activities in the province over the long term.
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