Mr Phiphat chaired a high-level workshop at Phuket International Airport to review the progress of the projects and discuss strategies to ease traffic congestion across the island.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Transport, including Permanent Secretary Chaiyatham Promsorn, Highways Department Director-General Piyapong Jiwattanakulpaisan, and Rural Roads Department Director-General Phichit Hunsiri, along with Phuket Governor Saransak Srikruanetra, local administrators and business representatives.
Mr Phiphat said the developments, spanning land, air and sea transport, would be “game changers” for Phuket over the next five years. “Phuket is not just a tourist destination, but will become a model city for transportation, logistics and mobility in the future,” he said.
However, all the projects Mr Phiphat listed have been on the planning board for years. Among the nine projects, the Kathu-Patong Tunnel remains one of the most anticipated. Scheduled for completion by 2030, it will cut travel time from Phuket Airport to Patong to just 20 minutes, he said.
The Phuket Airport Rail Link, running from the airport to Chalong Circle, will serve as the backbone of the island’s future urban transit system, while the Muang Mai–Koh Kaeo–Kathu Expressway will relieve chronic congestion on Thepkrasattri Rd and provide a faster route across the island, he added.
The Phuket International Airport Phase 2 expansion is also being fast-tracked, increasing capacity from 12.5 million to 18mn passengers per year to meet rising tourist arrivals. Meanwhile, plans for a ‘cruise terminal and Andaman Seaport’ are progressing, designed to link Phuket with Phang Nga and Krabi and to cater to premium international visitors. “The seaport will open new economic opportunities and strengthen Phuket’s role as the maritime gateway to the Andaman,” Mr Phiphat said.
Several supporting road upgrades are underway, Mr Phiphat added. The Highways Department presented plans to improve U-turns and lighting on Route 402, expand Route 4027, and construct a new 1.95km route from Ban Muang Mai to the airport intersection. A feasibility study is also being conducted for a new highway network from Pa Khlok to Baan Bang Khu.
The Expressway Authority of Thailand reported progress on the two-phase Phuket Expressway Project. The 3.98km Kathu-Patong section is now in land acquisition, while the Muang Mai-Koh Kaew-Kathu section is under Environmental Impact Assessment review.
On the water transport front, it was repeated that plans are advancing for new and upgraded ports including the Andaman Ring Road Port, Manoh Port, Chong Lad Port and Ao Po Ferry Port. The concept of a “large cruise ship port” is being developed to capture the high-end tourism market, while a taxi boat network is planned to help ease traffic during the high season.
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) presented its proposal for a new ‘Tha Noon-Phuket Airport’ line, which would link land and air transport systems and ease congestion on main roads. Meanwhile, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) confirmed continued progress on the Phuket Light Rail Transit (LRT) Phase 1 project, connecting the airport with Chalong Circle.
Mr Phiphat also ordered provincial authorities, police, and the Department of Land Transport to intensify their crackdown on illegal black-plate taxis, stressing that enforcement must be fair to licensed drivers and ensure passenger safety.
He further directed the Ministry of Transport to investigate and regulate taxi app operators following complaints from the public. “All platforms must comply with the law and operate transparently to protect both users and drivers,” he said.
If all projects proceed on schedule, Mr Phiphat said, Phuket will be fully transformed by 2030. “Phuket will proudly stand as a world-class transportation and tourism hub of the Andaman coast ‒ a model of smart, sustainable mobility for Thailand,” he declared.