Phuket expressway projects worth B84.218 billion target 2031 opening

Thailand's Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) is advancing two planned expressway projects in Phuket with a combined estimated cost of B84.218 billion and a target opening date of 2031.

The 3.98-kilometre Kathu-Patong expressway and tunnel is valued at B16.757 billion. Cabinet consideration is expected by the end of 2026, with construction targeted to begin in October 2027 and the route scheduled to open in October 2031.

A second Phuket project would run 30.62 kilometres from Mueang Mai through Koh Kaew to Kathu. It is estimated to cost B67.461 billion, with detailed design expected to be completed in early 2027 and construction targeted to begin in 2028.

EXAT plans for both Phuket phases to open together in 2031. They form part of 11 expressway projects worth more than B296.6 billion being advanced across Bangkok, surrounding provinces and major tourist destinations, including Koh Samui and Koh Chang.

EXAT Governor Surachet Laophulsuk said the authority was preparing a new enterprise plan as travel patterns continued to differ from those before the Covid-19 pandemic. Average traffic across the expressway network is about 1.7 million vehicles a day, compared with approximately 1.9 million previously, while annual profit is currently about B8 billion to B10 billion.

EXAT said future expansion would be financed through a combination of public-private partnerships, infrastructure funds and bonds.