TALKS this afternoon resolved the case of the Rawai stayput. Construction begins on Monday to widen the road at a cost of 2.5 million baht. The governor says the road will be complete and clear after just 15 days. He is to meet most of the cost. ''If you say yes today, construction can begin on Monday'' the governor told the family who owns the property. And the deal was done. The governor and locals then sat down to celebrate over a meal.


PHUKET GOVERNOR Wichai Praisa-nob was on his way to Rawai late this afternoon to attempt to settle the case of the stayput highway lane occupant.

The owners of a property that borders the road between Chalong Circle and Rawai have for several years refused to give up a slice of the property so the four-lane highway widening can be completed.

Instead, for the space of 25 metres, the highway abruptly narrows to three lanes, then widens again to four.

Local agitation to have the road widened has been intensifying, especially as the property is an accident blackspot. It is believed that locals were agitating for an immediate solution today.

It is certainly a long-standing sore point. Mishaps occur at the rate of about one a week.

Even the post supporting a large arrow, indicating vehicles should proceed around the unsurfaced part of the property, show signs of having been hit by a motorcycle.

A shop on the property once sold food but has been converted to other purposes in recent times.

In a conversation with the owner, Phuketwan was told at one stage that the asking price for the 12 metre strip of land was five million baht.

This was not because the owner wanted to make a profit, but because they were left off the list when all property owners were notified that the road needed to be widened, Phuketwan was told.

A stayput also causes a similar road narrowing on Thepkasattri Road, the main road between Phuket City and the Phuket International Airport, near the British International School.