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Published on February 25, 2008

Saroj Suvinchai, director of the Phuket Provincial Highways Office (PPHO), said repeated attempts to buy the 20m by 5m plot at government prices had failed. The blocked lane had become the site of many road accidents.

"We are still trying to reach an agreement with the landowner, Krissana Samart, who refuses to sell the land," he said.

Saroj explained that when building or expanding a public road, a royal decree giving the PPHO authority to expropriate land to make way for the road was usually issued.

In this case, however, almost all of the landowners involved agreed to sell their plots for the compensation offered, so a decree was not issued, he said.

"We still don't know how to deal with Krissana. We can't force him to sell. We are willing to pay compensation of up to Bt400,000 for the land, but he wants Bt5 million," Saroj said.

Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit had also unsuccessfully attempted to negotiate with Krissana.

Saroj urged motorists to exercise caution when driving along Wiset Rd and to understand that the PPHO was not ignoring the problem.

"We are trying to find a way to fix this problem as soon as we can," he said.

Local village chief Prasert Khumbaan said he could not understand why Krissana refused to sell.

Repeated attempts by the Gazette to reach Krissana failed.

The Nation

Phuket Gazette

Phuket