Phuket underpass contractor faces B11.8 million penalty by Aug 20
Lighting work at all five underpasses is complete, but checks and other tasks remain on the delayed B48.4 million Smart City project.
A contractor on Phuket’s B48.4 million Smart City traffic management project faces late penalties totalling B11.8 million by Aug 20 unless it completes and submits the work by that deadline, Phuket Highways Office chief Winai Kuemueang said.
Better World Traffic Co Ltd missed the original contractual deadline of April 24. Phuket Governor Chotinrin Kerdsum set Aug 20 as the completion deadline after repeated delays, according to the Phuket Highways Office.
Mr Winai said lighting installation at all five underpasses was 100% complete. Remaining tasks included checking the control rooms, confirming that the lighting was operating correctly and tidying equipment.
He said no additional fines would be imposed if the contractor completed and submitted the project by Aug 20. If it missed that deadline, late penalties would continue to apply.
The project includes the Smart City Remote Control and Monitoring Centre, replacement of deteriorated lighting systems, new electrical systems with remote outage notifications, automatic licence plate recognition cameras and internet-connected variable-message traffic signs.
Darasamut Underpass closures
Darasamut Underpass will remain closed nightly from 9pm to 5am through Sept 6 while its concrete barriers are improved.
Mr Winai said the work was launched because the old barriers had been involved in frequent accidents and could shift or fall, creating a collision risk for vehicles travelling in the opposite lane. The replacement barriers are designed to be stronger and less likely to move.
The work is part of the Department of Highways’ fiscal 2026 traffic improvement project. Petchthanawong Limited Partnership was awarded the B21 million contract, with work starting on Jan 20 and scheduled for completion on Sept 6.
