Despite Abhisit putting the Thanarat Road expansion project on hold the debate is not over. According to a story in the Bangkok Post, Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul has thrown his support behind the project. The same contentious issues are being debated, including the argument that widening is needed for safety reasons – disputed by those who live in the area who must cross the road daily, and the fear that the contractor will sue the government for breach of contract if they terminate the work.
More details of the plan have leaked out as the debate has ensued, including the fact that they plan to widen the road its entire 24 km length from Pak Chong to the entrance to Khao Yai National Park. People who live in the area and visit consider that a travesty which will destroy much of the atmosphere of the drive toward the park. Already 128 large trees have been felled in the first 8 km stretch, including the stretch along the first curve that goes up the hill where the trees used to reach across the road forming a tree tunnel.