The Department of Rural Roads is accelerating the construction of the Pak Phanang River bridge in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, with 91% progress. It is expected to open by late 2026, reducing travel distance by 40 km and easing difficulties for over 2,000 local households.
Mr. Phichit Hunsiri, Director-General of the Department of Rural Roads (DRR). He revealed that the DRR is implementing government policies and directives from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport Pipat Ratchakitprakarn to boost the transportation economy and improve people's living standards nationwide. Currently, in Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, construction is underway on the Pak Phanang River bridge in Pak Phanang District, with a total budget of 158.060 million baht. Construction has progressed over 91%, currently focusing on building the bridge deck, foundation slabs, and connecting roads. The bridge is expected to be fully completed and open for public use in 2026.
Residents of Bang Sala and Pak Praek subdistricts have long faced travel difficulties between these areas for over a decade. Approximately 2,000 households, or around 4,000 people, must detour more than 40 kilometers, causing delays, higher energy costs, and slow transportation. To resolve these issues and ease travel for residents of both subdistricts, the bridge will provide safe, timely, and convenient access to government offices such as the Pak Praek and Bang Sala Subdistrict Administrative Organizations, healthcare centers including Ban Makham Riang and Bang Sala health promotion hospitals, and will also support the efficient transport of agricultural and fishery products for local residents.
Mr. Phichit stated that the DRR has constructed this reinforced concrete bridge connecting Bang Sala and Pak Praek subdistricts. The bridge is 270 meters long and 9 meters wide, with a reinforced concrete connecting road featuring two traffic lanes, 6 meters wide and 1,495 meters long. The total project length is 1,765 meters. Additionally, traffic signs, safety markers, and lighting systems are being installed for road users.
Furthermore, on 30 October 2026, the third public participation meeting will be held to update residents on the project's overall progress and to thank the community for their contributions of land for the bridge construction. The local residents of both subdistricts have jointly decided to name the bridge "Pak Praek-Bang Sala Bridge," combining the names of both subdistricts as a symbol of connecting the two riverbanks. This marks a linkage of the communities, bringing development and sustainably improving the basic quality of life for residents.
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