Phiphat and Sanpetch Push Koh Kho Khao Bridge and Andaman Ring Road

MGR Online•Economy•3d ago

Reader Briefing

Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn and Deputy Minister Sanpetch Bunyamanee visit Phang Nga to drive transportation network upgrades including the Koh Kho Khao Bridge and Andaman Ring Road projects.

•The Department of Rural Roads allocated 55 million baht in fiscal year 2027 for the first 1 km phase of the Koh Kho Khao Bridge.
•The Andaman Ring Road connecting Krabi, Koh Yao, and Phuket is expected to open in 2029.
•Highway 4 connecting Phang Nga, Phuket, and Krabi is being expanded from 2 to 4 lanes.
•Phang Nga is targeted to be Asia's first 'Zero Carbon' tourism pilot area using electric vehicles once the bridge is complete.

Overview

•On August 22, 2026, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn and Sanpetch Bunyamanee led Ministry of Transport executives to Phang Nga province.
•The Department of Rural Roads received 55 million baht in the 2027 budget for the first 1 km of the Koh Kho Khao Bridge construction.
•The remaining 5 km of the Koh Kho Khao Bridge project is undergoing an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), with a conclusion expected in early 2027.
•Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn ordered the Department of Highways to expand the traffic bottleneck at Khok Kloi Intersection from 1 lane back to 4 lanes.
•The Governor of Phang Nga was assigned to coordinate with agencies to unlock urban planning issues to facilitate investment.
•The Department of Marine expanding the 'Andaman Ring Road' ferry network to reduce travel time between provinces from 3.5 hours to 2 hours by 2029.
•The Koh Kho Khao Bridge is being built because residents currently rely on car ferries, causing limitations in time, cost, and safety during night-time emergencies.
•Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn and Sanpetch Bunyamanee assigned agencies to investigate the request for land use by the Wat Pa Tha Nun monastic residence.

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Key Quotes

Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn

"Infrastructure development must not start from the top down, but must begin from the actual hardship and needs of the people."

การพัฒนาโครงสร้างพื้นฐานต้องไม่ได้เริ่มจากบนลงล่าง แต่ต้องเริ่มต้นจากความเดือดร้อนและความต้องการที่แท้จริงของประชาชน

Key Entities

Person

Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn(พิพัฒน์ รัชกิจประการ)

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport.

Sanpetch Bunyamanee(สรรเพชญ บุญญามณี)

Deputy Minister of Transport.

Organization

Ministry of Transport(กระทรวงคมนาคม)ℹ️

The ministry responsible for driving the transportation network upgrades in Phang Nga.

Department of Rural Roads(กรมทางหลวงชนบท)ℹ️

The agency managing the budget and construction of the Koh Kho Khao Bridge.

Department of Highways(กรมทางหลวง)

The agency tasked with expanding Highway 4 and resolving traffic bottlenecks at Khok Kloi Intersection.

Marine Department(กรมเจ้าท่า)

The agency expediting the Andaman Ring Road ferry project.

Wat Pa Tha Nun Monastic Residence(ที่พักสงฆ์ป่าท่านุ่น)

An entity requesting the use of reserved land from the Department of Highways.

Place

Phang Nga(พังงา)ℹ️

The province where the transport projects and public hearings are taking place.

Phuket(ภูเก็ต)ℹ️

A province connected to Phang Nga and Krabi via Highway 4 and the Andaman Ring Road.

Krabi(กระบี่)ℹ️

A province connected to Phang Nga and Phuket via Highway 4 and the Andaman Ring Road.

Koh Kho Khao(เกาะคอเขา)

The location of the bridge project and the targeted 'Zero Carbon' tourism pilot area.

Koh Yao(เกาะยาว)

An island connected by the Andaman Ring Road ferry network.

Khok Kloi Intersection(สี่แยกโคกกลอย)

A traffic bottleneck location in Phang Nga ordered for expansion.

Sarasin Bridge(สะพานสารสิน)ℹ️

A bridge connecting to Phang Nga where lighting improvements are ordered.

Policy

Koh Kho Khao Bridge Project(โครงการสะพานเชื่อมเกาะคอเขา)

A project to build a bridge to Koh Kho Khao to unlock the Andaman economy.

Andaman Ring Road(วงแหวนอันดามัน)

A water-based transportation project connecting Krabi, Koh Yao, and Phuket via ferries.