"Sanphet" orderedto proceed with building cruise terminalsin Phuket, Samui, and Pattayaand also ordered the establishment of a passenger transfer pier (Tender Boat) in Songkhla province to promote tourism growth, while accelerating the completion of smart piers on the Chao Phraya River, aiming to open 29 piers by 2027 and dredge waterways in preparation for the flood season.
Sanphet Boonyamanee, Deputy Minister of Transport, revealed that he has instructed the Marine Department to urgently study the construction of large cruise terminals to accommodate water-based tourism, noting a growing number of large cruise ships arriving from Europe andAsiacalling at Thailand. The policy is to expedite studies and construction of cruise terminals at Koh Samui in Surat Thani province,,Phuket province,and Pattayain Chonburi province.
The urgency is due to current issues in some areas, such as Phuket, facing congestion and capacity limitations for ships. Developing additional infrastructure will enhance the country’s competitiveness and establish Thailand as a key destination for tourists and foreign investors. Initially, the Samui area will be piloted through a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with plans to submit for Cabinet approval within this year, aiming to begin construction after environmental and feasibility studies,andCabinetapproval, expected to startconstruction in 2027and openfor service by 2032.
Additionally, the Marine Department has been instructed to study building a passenger transfer pier (Tender Boat) in Songkhla province. This project will connect anchored cruise ships offshore to the shore, supporting tourism in Songkhla. Initially, a 25 million baht budget for 2027 will be requested to study feasibility, design details, and prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The plan includes dredging channels and constructing docking facilities for small tourist boats (Tender Boat), where large ships anchor offshore and ferry tourists ashore. This will link to key attractions such as the historic Songkhla city, currently being promoted for UNESCO World Heritage status. Such projects will stimulate the local economy and generate income for residents.
Sanphet added that the water transport system development in Bangkok aims to be convenient, safe, and accessible, especially through smart piers on the Chao Phraya Riverto enhanceurban water transit. There are plans to develop 29 piers in total, with 16 completed and 13 still underway,currently in progress.The goal is to complete and open all piers by 2027.
Regarding regional port development, policies have been set to maintain standards for supervision, licensing, and operations with transparency, alongside developing port capacities to support future logistics industries, especially in the southern and eastern regions.
Moreover, the Marine Department has been ordered to expedite dredging waterways in flood-prone and silted areas to prepare for the upcoming flood season, with systematic planning and accelerated implementation.
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