Bridge to Koh Lanta delayed
A long awaited bridge from the mainland of Krabi province to the islands of Koh Lanta has been continually delayed, leading locals to suspect that foul play is involved.
The project, which would greatly shorten the travelling time to the islands’ resorts from Krabi town and airport, has been on the cards for some time but seems to stall at approval level for various reasons. Locals, who would greatly benefit from the bridge, are becoming suspicious that delays may be linked to the monopoly held over the ferry route that links Lanta Noi and Lanta Yai with the mainland.
A visit to the island earlier this year by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, brought the issue to the fore, but no further headway has been made. According to one village head, district chiefs who have in the past publicly said they will push the project forward, have found themselves transferred elsewhere.
Village organisations on the island have even agreed to use their own funds but when the plan was forwarded to provincial authorities no further response was received. Meanwhile, the bulk of visitors to the islands popular resorts continue to arrive by a two hour ferry ride from Krabi town.
Their biggest concern is the affect it has in the height of the season when the ferry service to Lanta Noi cannot cope with the amount of traffic, creating backlogs of up to four hours. At other times maintenance work suspends the service altogether.
Krabi Governor, Siwa Sirisawalak, promised that the bridge would eventually be built but they have to wait until the following year’s budget to begin on the first section of the two bridge project.