Public Outcry Over Phichit Highway Maintenance Budget

According to a report by Thai Post, the Phichit Highway District is facing significant public backlash regarding a planned 19.9 million baht project to repair two sections of Highway 113 (Phichit-Taphan Hin). Local residents have expressed frustration, noting that the road segments slated for maintenance currently appear to be in good condition without potholes, while numerous other roads in the province remain in poor, damaged states.

The controversy has drawn the attention of the Phichit office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), which conducted a site visit to request a formal justification for the expenditure of public tax funds. While officials provided a technical engineering explanation for the project, the response has failed to satisfy the local community, leading to widespread criticism on social media regarding the prioritization of infrastructure development.

For residents and travelers, this situation highlights ongoing concerns regarding the transparency and efficiency of local infrastructure spending. While the highway district maintains that the project is based on engineering standards, the discrepancy between the condition of the selected roads and the urgent needs of other local routes remains a point of contention. It is yet to be confirmed whether the NACC will take further action or if the project will proceed as originally planned despite the public opposition.