PHUKET'S Sarasin Bridge, the Sequel, is turning out to be an impressive structure that could even be up and running ahead of schedule.

Sarasin II is being erected to link Phuket to the mainland at a cost of 377 million baht by construction conglomerate Italian-Thai, the firm that not only built Phuket's original Sarasin Bridge, but also its sister span, the Thepkasattri Bridge.

The expected date for completion of Sarasin II is June 20 next year, allowing 720 days for the entire project. But that deadline also includes the rebuilding of the existing Sarasin I, which includes the raising of the middle section so that yachts can proceed to and from the ocean beneath without having to drop their masts.

By Phuketwan's estimate, the new bridge for traffic leaving the island should be ready before year's end. The replacement bridge is likely to be officially named Srisoonththorn Bridge, after one of Phuket's heroine sisters who fought off an invasion by Burmese. The oncoming bridge to the island already bears the name of the other sister, Thepkasattri.

The original Sarasin will become a pedestrian pathway with steps leading up to the elevated middle section, from which local anglers are expected to continue to hone their skills. Boys were busy enjoying the other bridge activity, jumping into the water for a swim, when Phuketwan stopped there.

Local wags have suggested that in the current red protest, Phuket might be better off declaring its independence from Thailand as a separate non-violent state and closing all links with the mainland, except by air. However, the impetus for the idea seems to have slipped by, like so much water under a bridge.