PHUKET — 16 September 2026, Thailand is moving ahead with the first phase of the Phuket Expressway, a planned link between Kathu and Patong that is expected to cut travel time between the two areas from about 30 minutes to just five minutes.
Ploythalay Laksameesaengjan, deputy government spokeswoman, said the project has been submitted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand to the Transport Ministry, with adjustments being made to the design.
One key change is a reduction in the planned tunnel width from 17 metres to 14 metres. The revised design is currently being circulated among relevant agencies for comment.
The government expects to submit the project to the Cabinet for approval in December 2026. If approved, bidding would follow, with a contractor expected to be selected around April 2027.
Land acquisition is targeted for completion by January 2027, while construction is scheduled to begin in October 2027.
Construction is expected to take four years, with completion targeted for September 2031 and the expressway scheduled to open in October 2031.
The first phase will include interchanges at Patong and Kathu to connect the expressway with surrounding road networks.
According to Ploythalay, the project is intended to provide an alternative to existing roads, which face physical and traffic-capacity limitations, while improving access to tourist destinations and economic areas.
The project is also expected to improve road safety and overall transport efficiency in Phuket.
Once operational, the first phase is projected to handle an average of 50,000–60,000 vehicles per day, including motorcycles.