Residents Criticize 100 Million Baht Sculpture Project at Trang Bypass Intersections as Deterioration Begins
Trang residents are criticizing a 120-million-baht sculpture project at four bypass intersections after sculptures began crumbling months after installation, with locals questioning the massive budget and poor construction quality.
On May 14, 2569 (2026), numerous Trang residents have publicly criticized a landscape improvement and marine animal sculpture installation project at four intersections along the Trang bypass road. The project, funded by the Southern Andaman Region Provincial Group with an additional 2560 fiscal year budget of 119,617,272 baht—approximately 30 million baht per location—is overseen by the Trang Highway Department.
Recent reports indicate that some of the sculptures have already begun deteriorating, with crumbling cement exposing the internal steel framework. The crab sculpture at the Kuan Pring intersection in Muang Trang district is a notable example. Local residents express frustration, noting that the sculptures should not be deteriorating so quickly, and they point to the surrounding areas' poor condition. Many also question the high construction budget allocated for the project.
This project previously faced significant public opposition in 2561 (2018) regarding construction design and budget value. At that time, related agencies justified the project as a tourism promotion initiative and recreational space, emphasizing that local Trang artists carefully designed each sculpture to reflect the identity of the Southern Andaman region and tell the story of Trang people's way of life.
