Phuket’s Kathu-Patong Expressway Project Moves Toward Cabinet Approval

According to Khaosod Online, the Thai government is accelerating infrastructure development in Phuket to address persistent traffic congestion. Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploy-Talay Laksameesaengchan announced that the proposed Kathu-Patong expressway project has been updated, with the tunnel diameter reduced from 17 meters to 14 meters. This project is designed to significantly improve travel efficiency, with officials estimating that the new route will reduce travel time between the two areas to just five minutes.

The proposal is currently being reviewed by relevant agencies and is expected to be submitted to the Cabinet for approval in December 2026. If the Cabinet grants approval, the project will proceed to the bidding phase, with a contractor expected to be selected by April 2027. Land acquisition is targeted for completion by January 2027, followed by a four-year construction period starting in October 2027. The government anticipates the expressway will be completed by September 2031, with a target opening date in October 2031.

For residents and travelers, this project represents a long-term effort to alleviate the heavy traffic often experienced on the winding roads between Kathu and Patong. However, the project remains subject to final Cabinet approval and the successful completion of the bidding and land acquisition processes.