Government to propose Kathu-Patong Expressway Phase 1 in late 2026

MGR Online•Politics•11h ago

Reader Briefing

The Thai government is planning a Phuket expressway project connecting Kathu and Patong to reduce travel time to 5 minutes.

•The Kathu-Patong Expressway Phase 1 is expected to be proposed to the Cabinet in December 2026.
•Construction is scheduled to begin in October 2027 and is expected to be completed by September 2031.
•The project aims to reduce travel time between Kathu and Patong from 30 minutes to 5 minutes.
•The project includes tunnels and interchanges at both Patong and Kathu.

•The Expressway Authority of Thailand has submitted the project to the Ministry of Transport with adjusted tunnel sizes reduced from 17 meters to 14 meters.
•Ploythalay Laksameesaengchan stated the project is expected to be proposed to the Cabinet in December 2026.
•Land acquisition is targeted for completion by January 2027, with a contractor expected to be secured by April 2027.
•Construction is slated to start in October 2027 and finish by September 2031, with service opening in October 2031.
•The Kathu-Patong Expressway will reduce travel time from 30 minutes to 5 minutes via a tunnel.
•The project is expected to handle an average traffic volume of 50,000-60,000 vehicles per day, including motorcycles.
•The project includes Patong and Kathu interchanges to connect with surrounding road networks.
•The development aims to solve traffic problems, increase travel efficiency, and support the expansion of Phuket.

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Ploythalay Laksameesaengchan

"It is expected that the project will be proposed to the Cabinet for approval around December 2026."

คาดว่าจะเสนอให้ที่ประชุมคณะรัฐมนตรี (ครม.) พิจารณาอนุมัติโครงการ ประมาณเดือนธันวาคม 2569

Ploythalay Laksameesaengchan(พลอยทะเล ลักษมีแสงจันทร์)

Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office.

Expressway Authority of Thailand(การทางพิเศษแห่งประเทศไทย)ℹ️

The agency that proposed the expressway project to the Ministry of Transport.

Ministry of Transport(กระทรวงคมนาคม)ℹ️

The ministry receiving the expressway project proposal.

Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี)

The body responsible for considering and approving the project in December 2026.

Phuket(ภูเก็ต)ℹ️

The province where the expressway project is being developed.

Kathu(กะทู้)ℹ️

One of the two main areas connected by the proposed expressway.

Patong(ป่าตอง)ℹ️

One of the two main areas connected by the proposed expressway.