The government revealed plans to proceed with building the Phuket Expressway Tunnel Phase 1 between Kathu and Patong, which will cut travel time to 5 minutes and support Phuket’s growth. The project is set to be proposed to the Cabinet for consideration by late 2026, with an expected operational start in 2031.
On 16 September 2026, Ms. Ploytale Lakshamisangchan, Deputy Spokesperson of the Prime Minister’s Office, updated on the progress of the Phuket expressway project, an important infrastructure initiative aimed at alleviating traffic problems, improving travel efficiency, and supporting Phuket’s expansion. Currently, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has submitted the project to the Ministry of Transport. The project design has been revised, particularly reducing the tunnel diameter from 17 meters to 14 meters, and feedback is being sought from relevant agencies.
“It is expected that the project will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval around December 2026. If the Cabinet approves, the bidding process will proceed, with the contractor expected to be selected by April 2027. Land acquisition is targeted for completion by January 2027, with construction starting in October 2027. The construction period is planned for four years, aiming to complete by September 2031 and open for service in October 2031,” Ms. Ploytale said.
Ms. Ploytale emphasized that constructing this project will allow travel between Kathu and Patong to avoid the limitations of the existing route. The project includes interchanges at Patong and Kathu to connect with surrounding road networks. Once completed, it will provide an alternative route, reduce reliance on the current roads constrained by physical and traffic volume limits, improve access to tourist destinations and economic areas, and enhance safety and transport efficiency in Phuket. The travel time between Kathu and Patong, currently about 30 minutes, will be reduced to just 5 minutes using the tunnel. It is estimated that once Phase 1 opens, it will serve an average daily traffic volume of 50,000 to 60,000 vehicles, including motorcycles.