To promote good health and exercise through cycling, Thailand is set to construct the longest bike lane in Asia, spanning 184.8 kilometres and crossing five Central Plains provinces, over the next three years.
Bangkok Post reported yesterday, August 12, that Transport Permanent Secretary Ms. Soithip Traisuth has approved the project. She added that the government has asked the Transport Ministry to build a 1.5 billion baht track, linking Pathum Thani to Chai Nat via Ayutthaya, Ang Thong and Sing Buri.
The lane which is a combination of a rubber and asphalt will start at Thammasat University in Pathum Thani, and will continue toward Highway No 3214 and National Highway No 3477 in Bang Pa-in district in Ayutthaya. It will go as far as Highway No 309 in Ang Thong, reaching Sing Buri and finally will end at Chao Phraya dam in Chai Nat.
The report quoted Ms. Soithip saying that “the construction of the bike lane is a tribute to His Majesty the King on his 88th birthday this year and part of the government’s program “Return Happiness to Thais”.
The undertaking is also expected to help in promoting tourism in the five provinces as the route crosses several tourist hotspots and historical sites such as Bang Pa-in Palace, Wat Panan Choeng and Wat Phra Si Sanphet in Ayutthaya and Wat Ampawan in Singburi and Wat Phra Non Chaksi.
The road construction will commence next year and is expected to be open and ready for use by 2017.