Pattaya underpass officially opens

CHON BURI, Aug 26 (TNA) -- Pattaya underpass, equipped with four-lane road and a tunnel which is so far the longest tunnel in Thailand, is now opened for traffic amid delights of car users. Officially opened on Friday by Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittyapaisith and attended by high-ranking officers of the ministry and Pattaya resort, the Pattaya underpass named ‘Pattaya Klang Underpass’ was built with the total cost of 837 million baht is designed to relieve traffic congestion along Sukhumvit Road during peak hours. The tunnel has the total length of 420 metres is, undoubtedly the longest tunnel in the kingdom presently. Pisak Jitviriyavasin, director-general of Rural Roads, said his department always give importance to roads connecting with each other for the convenience of users and to also relieve traffic congestion and has, therefore, allocated budget for construction of this tunnel. Mr Pisak said the tunnel has four-lane traffic, with each lane having 3.5 metres in width. The wall is decorated with the 1.9 kilometres of happy dolphins which reflects the blue of the beautiful sea at the globally-known resort. The tunnel has been officially opened since 10pm Friday. (TNA)