Krasae Sin News Today

The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) will launch a campaign to forge a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the preservation of Irrawaddy dolphins, an endangered cetacean living in Songkhla Lake.

The cabinet's recent decision to approve the construction of a 4.48-billion-baht bridge across the Songkhla Lake is causing alarm among environmental activists and authorities alike, with many questioning if the project will ultimately spell the demise of the last pod of 14 Irrawaddy dolphins who call the lake home.

The cabinet last week approved 6.6 billion baht for construction of two bridges in southern region -- one of which raises fears about its impact on rare and endangered Irrawaddy dolphins in Songkhla Lake.

The Thai Cabinet has approved funding for the construction of new bridges across Songkhla lake, connecting Ko Lanta to the mainland.

The Transport Ministry will invest 6.6 billion baht in two bridge construction projects in the South after receiving approval from the cabinet on Tuesday, said Minister Saksayam Chidchob.

The construction of a third bridge across Songkhla Lake, linking Krasae Sin district in Songkhla province with Khao Chaison district in Phatthalung, is expected to begin in 2023 ahead of it opening in 2026, Department of Rural Roads Director-General Apirath Chaiwongnoy said yesterday.

The construction of a third bridge across Songkhla Lake, linking Krasae Sin district in Songkhla province with Khao Chaison district in Phatthalung, is expected to begin in 2023 and be open for use in 2026, Department of Rural Roads director-general Apirath Chaiwongnoy said.