Nai Harn park targeted for 24 April opening as redevelopment advances

The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) is targeting a public opening on Saturday 24 April 2027 for the redeveloped Nai Harn Lake area in Rawai, after its landscaping work reached about 70% completion.

PPAO Chief Executive Rewat Areerob gave the update after inspecting the site on Wednesday 4 November 2026 with Rawai Mayor Thames Kraitat and officials from both agencies. Rewat said the PPAO’s landscape improvement project was expected to be finished by mid-March 2027.

The upgraded area is intended to provide a public park and exercise space for residents of Rawai and nearby communities, with facilities for walking, jogging and cycling. Rewat said the PPAO would work with Rawai Municipality on community activities after completion, including fun runs and sporting events. The site’s proximity to Nai Harn Beach could also make it a destination for Thai and international visitors, he said.

Rawai Municipality is managing a separate infrastructure project adjoining the PPAO’s landscaping works. Mayor Thames said that project was about 50% complete. It includes road resurfacing, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) drainage pipes, footpaths, drainage manholes and an asphalt parking area around Nai Harn Lake in Moo 1.

The two agencies are coordinating the projects because construction in adjoining areas could affect their progress. Officials said during this week’s inspection that the contractors would coordinate their schedules to avoid unnecessary disruption.

Both agencies have agreed to organise opening activities jointly, with the public invited to attend from 4pm on 24 April 2027.

The redevelopment has been delayed since the original PPAO landscaping and cycling-path contract, worth B66.6 million, was awarded to Sasivarai Construction in May 2024. The contract allowed 515 days for completion, but the contractor abandoned the work after construction began. The PPAO terminated the contract on 8 April 2025, saying the company had stopped work shortly after starting.

The stalled project became a political issue in May 2025, when Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee visited the site and questioned the lack of progress. Rewat later said the original contractor had underbid other companies by about B6 million and had run out of money before completing the work.

The PPAO subsequently launched a new bidding process with a revised budget of about B74 million. In July 2026, Rewat and Mayor Thames announced that work was restarting, with the PPAO responsible for landscaping, the jogging track and cycling lane, and Rawai Municipality responsible for its separate B70 million road and drainage improvement project. Both projects were then scheduled for completion by 30 March 2027.