Locals support Koh Chang bridge plan

A map prepared by the Expressway Authority of Thailand shows the four optional routes  for the planned bridge to Koh Chang in Trat province.
A map prepared by the Expressway Authority of Thailand shows the four optional routes for the planned bridge to Koh Chang in Trat province.

The Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat) on Monday began public hearings on four possible routes for the proposed bridge from the mainland to Trat's popular Koh Chang island.

The first hearing was in Muang district of Trat, and participants supported the project.

They wanted travellers using the bridge to be guided through Muang district, to help support the economic development of the business centre of the eastern province.

They also asked that the bridge toll be lower than the ferry fares, should include lanes for motorcycles and bicycles and have viewpoints on both ends.

Exat said the bridge would benefit both visitors and Koh Chang residents, who would have easier access to schools and hospitals on the mainland.

The four bridge options involved three possible locations on the mainland in Trat and four on the island - three in Ban Dan Mai and one in Ban Khlong Son.

The first two options would both start in Ban Nong Prue village of Laem Ngop district. 

One would be 9.82 kilometres long, the second would be 9.95km long and both would reach the island in Ban Dan Mai.

The third, 5.90km long, would start in Ban Thammachat Lang of Laem Ngop district and reach the island in Ban Dan Mai 

The fourth route, 5.59km long, would start in Ban Thammachat Lang and reach the island in Ban Khlong Son.

The four bridge options would all be elevated and high enough for ships to pass underneath, and land on the island in less populated locations. 

Construction of the new bridge is planned to begin in 2029, with the opening in 2033.

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Vocabulary

  • benefit: to help someone - มีประโยชน์ต่อ
  • construction: the work of building or making something, especially buildings, bridges, etc. - การก่อสร้าง
  • elevated: raised above the ground, or higher than the surrounding area - ซึ่งอยู่ในระดับที่สูงกว่าสิ่งอื่น
  • mainland: a large mass of land that forms the main part of a country but does not include any islands belonging to the country - แผ่นดินใหญ่
  • populated (adj): having large numbers of people living there; having things existing there - มีผู้คนจำนวนมากอาศัยอยู่ที่นั่น; อาศัยอยู่
  • public hearing: an official meeting at which the facts about a situation, etc. are discussed with members of the public taking part - ประชาพิจารณ์
  • resident: a person who lives in a particular area - ผู้พักอาศัย, ผู้อยู่อาศัยในบริเวณ  ประชาชนที่อาศัยในท้องที่
  • support: to give help, encouragement or sympathy to somebody - สนับสนุน, เป็นกำลังใจ
  • toll (noun): the amount of money that a person must pay to travel on a special road or "tollway". -

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