RUMORS that Phuket's Governor might face arrest if he pursues his plan for a new road between Patong and Chalong were flying on the island today.
Environmentalists are determined that the road will not go ahead. Governor Wichai Praisa-nob insists that it must. Both sides say they are acting in Phuket's best interests.
''I am not stupid,'' the governor told Phuketwan when the issue was raised in an interview on Friday. ''That's why I went to Bangkok to talk to the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister this week.''
Governor Wichai is pursuing his aim to give Phuket a proper network of roads before his enforced retirement next year, when he turns 60. But he told Phuketwan that he would not do anything illegal.
''Even after I retire, I will want to be able to come back to Phuket,'' he said.
A new road between Patong and Chalong would cut distance and travelling time between the two heavily populated centres and open up a speedy connection between the island's south, including Chalong, Rawai and Naiharn, and its north-west resorts, including Kamala and Surin.
It's estimated that the distance that needs to be travelled by road would be slashed from the present 20 kilometres to five kilometres.
But the new route would require permission from the Environment Department because it goes through forestry land and rises beyond 200 metres, well above the 80 metre height limit on all development.
Environmentalists fear the road would quickly become lined with commercial outlets and create a precedent for developers to push for an end to the ''green ban'' height limit.
Buildings erected before the height limit was imposed remain above 80 metres, and some critics believe other construction has gone ahead in defiance of the restriction.
As Phuket's coastal townships become more developed and remaining land values soar, the owners of land above 80 metres are likely to intensify pressure to have the building ban shifted higher, or removed entirely.
The debate cuts to the heart of Phuket's future: does development continue regardless of population pressures, or is there a point at which the island reach a balance with nature that should not be exceeded?
If the second argument is accepted, who decides when the balance has been reached?
A new road would allow most tourists to more easily access the Big Buddha at Chalong, one of the island's key attractions, which became an exception to the green ban when approval was granted for it to be built on the top of Nakkerd Hill.
Since then, the road to the Big Buddha has been populated by commercial establishments, many well above the 80 metre limit.
The governor supports enviromental balance and has said Phuket already has enough development but insists the road is an essential piece of infrastructure for the island's future.
His other landmark projects include creating a second highway between Phuket International Airport and Phuket City and a road that would connect Saphan Hin public park and Sakdidet Road in Phuket City.
Work is reported to be due to begin next month, even though the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has yet to approve the project. A mangrove forest could be at risk.
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Environmentalists are determined that the road will not go ahead. Governor Wichai Praisa-nob insists that it must. Both sides say they are acting in Phuket's best interests.
''I am not stupid,'' the governor told Phuketwan when the issue was raised in an interview on Friday. ''That's why I went to Bangkok to talk to the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister this week.''
Should the road go ahead or not? Tell us now! Comment below
Governor Wichai is pursuing his aim to give Phuket a proper network of roads before his enforced retirement next year, when he turns 60. But he told Phuketwan that he would not do anything illegal.
''Even after I retire, I will want to be able to come back to Phuket,'' he said.
A new road between Patong and Chalong would cut distance and travelling time between the two heavily populated centres and open up a speedy connection between the island's south, including Chalong, Rawai and Naiharn, and its north-west resorts, including Kamala and Surin.
It's estimated that the distance that needs to be travelled by road would be slashed from the present 20 kilometres to five kilometres.
But the new route would require permission from the Environment Department because it goes through forestry land and rises beyond 200 metres, well above the 80 metre height limit on all development.
Environmentalists fear the road would quickly become lined with commercial outlets and create a precedent for developers to push for an end to the ''green ban'' height limit.
Buildings erected before the height limit was imposed remain above 80 metres, and some critics believe other construction has gone ahead in defiance of the restriction.
As Phuket's coastal townships become more developed and remaining land values soar, the owners of land above 80 metres are likely to intensify pressure to have the building ban shifted higher, or removed entirely.
The debate cuts to the heart of Phuket's future: does development continue regardless of population pressures, or is there a point at which the island reach a balance with nature that should not be exceeded?
If the second argument is accepted, who decides when the balance has been reached?
A new road would allow most tourists to more easily access the Big Buddha at Chalong, one of the island's key attractions, which became an exception to the green ban when approval was granted for it to be built on the top of Nakkerd Hill.
Since then, the road to the Big Buddha has been populated by commercial establishments, many well above the 80 metre limit.
The governor supports enviromental balance and has said Phuket already has enough development but insists the road is an essential piece of infrastructure for the island's future.
His other landmark projects include creating a second highway between Phuket International Airport and Phuket City and a road that would connect Saphan Hin public park and Sakdidet Road in Phuket City.
Work is reported to be due to begin next month, even though the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has yet to approve the project. A mangrove forest could be at risk.
Phuketwan Phuket News
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The road is not essential. There are both good points and bad points to it. Bending the law in this case will bring about further problems for sure. Let people drive the extra distance. Can you imagine it taking only 5 mins and the speed people will drive down the hill. Plenty of accidents waiting to happen. Waste of time, effort and money. Focus on the more important issues.
Posted by Duncan on August 10, 2009 10:49