Phuket Tunnel Project Kathu-Patong Proposal Late 2026

Thairath•Politics•13h ago

Reader Briefing

The Thai government is planning a special expressway tunnel between Kathu and Patong in Phuket to reduce travel time and support provincial growth.

•The project aims to reduce travel time between Kathu and Patong from 30 minutes to 5 minutes.
•The project is expected to be proposed to the Cabinet in December 2026.
•Construction is planned to begin in October 2027 and finish by September 2031.
•The tunnel design has been adjusted, reducing the size from 17 meters to 14 meters.

•The Expressway Authority of Thailand has proposed the Phuket special expressway project to the Ministry of Transport.
•The project design has been modified to reduce the tunnel size from 17 meters to 14 meters, with opinions currently being sought from relevant agencies.
•Ploythalay Laksameesaengchan expects the project to be proposed to the Cabinet in December 2026.
•Land rights acquisition is targeted for completion by January 2027, with bidding for a contractor expected in April 2027.
•Construction is scheduled to start in October 2027 and is expected to be completed by September 2031, opening for service in October 2031.
•The project will include Patong and Kathu interchanges to connect with the surrounding road network and reduce reliance on existing roads.
•The project is expected to handle an average traffic volume of 50,000-60,000 vehicles per day, including motorcycles, in Phase 1.
•The tunnel is intended to solve traffic problems and increase transportation efficiency to 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(สำนักงานการบินพลเรือนแห่งประเทศไทย)ℹ️

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

Ministry of Transport(กระทรวงคมนาคม)ℹ️

The ministry to which the Expressway Authority of Thailand submitted the project proposal.

Cabinet(คณะรัฐมนตรี)

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

Phuket(ภูเก็ต)ℹ️

The province where the special expressway tunnel project is being developed.

Kathu(กะทู้)ℹ️

One of the endpoints of the proposed tunnel project.

Patong(ป่าตอง)ℹ️

One of the endpoints of the proposed tunnel project.