The Ministry of Transport visited Krabi to speed up upgrades of ports and the expansion of roads to four lanes, pushing the Andaman Ring Road project connecting Phuket, aiming to reduce travel time and boost tourism.
Mr. Sanphet Boonyamanee, Deputy Minister of Transport, visited Krabi Province to monitor progress on transportation infrastructure projects, including ports and highway networks, aiming to facilitate the public and enhance tourism potential in the Andaman coastal provinces.
The visit included representatives from the Bhumjaithai Party: Mr. Kitti Kittitharakul, MP for Krabi District 1; Mr. Thiradet Tangmankokit, MP for Krabi District 2; and Mr. Kittichai Engchuan, MP for Krabi District 3, along with Mr. Angoon Silatewakul, Governor of Krabi, and executives from the Marine Department and Department of Highways (DOH) reporting progress.
Mr. Sanphet stated the visit focused on following up key water transport projects in the area, especially the renovation of Saladan Pier in Saladan Subdistrict, Ko Lanta District. This involves repairing the 75 by 10 meter passenger pier, adding a tourist service building and decorative sculptures to facilitate locals and prepare for future tourists. The renovation is expected to be completed by 15 September 2026.
He also ordered Krabi Province to lead efforts in identifying land ownership for the pier by consulting relevant agencies and resolving it within 15 days. This will allow urgent repairs to Ban Lo Yai pier in Ko Lanta Noi Subdistrict, Ko Lanta District, a vital pier for local fishing and tourism. After 25 years of use, the pier’s structure has deteriorated, so upgrades are necessary to ensure safety and usability for residents and visitors.
A key water transport project is the connection of ferry routes called the "Andaman Ring Road", which will upgrade four ferry ports, namely:
Thalen Pier in Krabi Province,
Manoh Pier on Ko Yao Noi,
Chong Lad Pier on Ko Yao Yai,
and Ao Por Pier in Phuket Province.
This will reduce travel time between Krabi and Phuket provinces to about two hours, down from approximately 3 hours 30 minutes by car, and promote sea travel and tourism between the areas. All four piers are currently in the procurement process, with construction expected to be completed and fully operational by June 2029.
Regarding land transport, the Deputy Minister followed progress on road projects, especially the expansion from two to four lanes on: Highway 4037, from Nuea Khlong District to Khao Phanom (km 4+319 to km 21+307), and Highway 4225, from Ban Nai Pong to Khlong Chi (km 24+237 to km 46+277). Both projects are currently under construction to improve travel efficiency and accommodate increasing traffic volumes in the area.
Meanwhile, there is also a project to build Highway 4156 from Khao Phanom District to Thung Yai (km 0+000 to km 40+475), covering 40.475 kilometers to enhance convenience, speed, and safety of travel between Krabi and Nakhon Si Thammarat provinces. This will support freight and agricultural product transport, promote tourism, and accommodate economic growth. The project is currently under environmental impact assessment (EIA), with some land already acquired to prepare for implementation.
Additionally, the DOH has projects to improve Highway 4206 from Huai Nam Khao Subdistrict to Ban Ko Klang and Highway 4034 from Pak Nam Krabi to Khao Thong, to enhance transportation system efficiency and support sustainable travel in the area. These are currently in design and environmental impact study phases.
In closing, Mr. Sanphet said he instructed the Marine Department and Department of Highways to expedite project implementation according to plans and timelines, closely monitor and resolve obstacles affecting progress, focusing on cost-effectiveness, public benefit, and travel safety. This is to ensure projects proceed efficiently and maximize benefits for residents, the economy, and tourism in the region.
Read more news on " State Policies " here.