BANGKOK — Sorawong Thienthong, Minister of Tourism and Sports, announced this week the progress of the Phu Kradueng cable car project in Loei Province, northeastern Thailand, which is overseen by the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA).
The organization is preparing to begin construction of a cable car to the summit of Phu Kradueng. The estimated budget is 1 billion baht ($30.6 million). The project will include 32 cabins with a capacity of eight passengers each. Interior work is scheduled to begin in May 2025. Construction is expected to take 30 months (2 years 6 months) from the start of planning. Service is expected to begin in November 2027, in time for the winter season.
DASTA has carefully planned every step of the project in compliance with the relevant laws and review mechanisms. In the past 3–4 years, Phu Kradueng has received about 65,000 visitors annually, most of whom are young and physically fit due to the challenging trail.
The new cable car with its 32 cabins is expected to accommodate visitors of all ages and double the number of tourists. This is expected to boost tourist traffic, reduce the number of overnight stays, reduce the amount of waste and minimize the environmental impact. The system will also facilitate the transportation of injured or sick people and animals.
Cable Cars to Open in Winter 2027
“The cable car is scheduled to open in winter 2027 so that the Thai people will have the opportunity to use the service,” Sorawong said on May 22.
He explained that the budget is being finalized while the design and terms of reference (TOR) are being prepared for procurement. The exact cost has yet to be confirmed, but the preliminary estimate is around 1 billion baht. Thanks to today’s technology, building a cable car is no longer difficult.
According to Sorawong, local residents have already given their approval for the construction. From now on, the government will listen carefully to the voices of the community throughout the process. Porters will still play a role, but instead of carrying loads on steep paths, they will help transport objects on flat terrain.
“During our site visits, we met porters who were bedridden or suffering from bone deformities, and many of their children do not want to inherit this job. As for ticket pricing, it is currently under review with reference to various existing models, but we guarantee it will be affordable for everyone,” he added.
EIA Underway After Budget Approval
Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, director of DASTA, said the agency has received a budget of 25.4 million baht from the cabinet to conduct a rigorous environmental impact assessment (EIA).
The assessment will fully comply with legal procedures and include studies on the impact on the environment, the physical and social environment and public health, as well as community participation.
Public hearings will be held to ensure transparency and stakeholder participation. The cable car route and stations have been designed according to the principle of “minimal intervention” in order to minimize the impact on the environment.
Once the cable car is in operation, the number of overnight stays on the mountain peak is expected to decrease, which will contribute to the long-term recovery of the ecosystem.
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