PUBLISHED: March 24, 2025, 15:54
Plans for new tollways in Phuket and Koh Samui aim to address ongoing traffic challenges, enhancing each island’s appeal as prime vacation destinations. The Chief of the Expressway Authority of Thailand, Surachet Laopoolsuk, announced the developments on a recent radio segment, emphasizing the positive impact on road safety and travel efficiency.
The proposed toll road in Phuket seeks to decrease both accidents and congestion, with cabinet approval anticipated later this year as land issues are resolved. The expressway is projected to open by 2030.
This ambitious 35-kilometre expressway will unfold in two phases: the first phase will connect Kathu district to Patong beach, while the second will extend from Kathu to Phuket airport. The current route, known as Road 4029, is notorious for its mountainous terrain and sharp descents that contribute to frequent accidents.
Surachet highlighted the benefits of the first phase, which involves constructing a tunnel to navigate through the mountains, significantly reducing accident rates. The second phase is expected to ease traffic on Road 402, the key thoroughfare linking the provincial capital to the airport and southern mainland, which struggles to manage peak hour traffic effectively.
The second important project involves an elevated road that will connect Surat Thani and Koh Samui via a 30-kilometre bridge over the sea. This initiative aims to eliminate long queues at ferry ports and ease holiday traffic on Koh Samui.
While the exact location of the mainland bridgehead is still under consideration, the Don Sak district in Surat Thani province and Khanom district in Nakhon Si Thammarat are competing for the project. Construction of this over-the-sea bridge is slated to begin in 2029, with a potential opening date in 2034, contingent upon cabinet approval.
