Phuket, Thailand – March 24, 2025 – The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) has unveiled ambitious plans to construct new tollways on the popular resort islands of Phuket and Samui, aiming to alleviate chronic traffic congestion that has long plagued these vacation hotspots. According to EXAT Chief Surachet Laophulsuk, these infrastructure projects are poised to unlock the full potential of both islands as premier tourist destinations.
Phuket, Thailand’s largest island and a magnet for millions of tourists annually, has struggled with worsening traffic gridlock, particularly in high-traffic areas like Patong and the roads leading to key attractions such as Chalong Circle and Promthep Cape.
Similarly, Koh Samui, renowned for its palm-fringed beaches and vibrant nightlife, faces bottlenecks that frustrate both locals and the growing influx of vacationers. The chief of EXAT stated that the new tollways will address these issues head-on, streamlining travel and reducing the time spent in traffic—a persistent complaint among tourists and a barrier to the islands’ tourism-driven economies.
“The traffic problems on Phuket and Samui have hindered their ability to fully shine as world-class vacation getaways,” Surachet said in a recent statement. “These tollways will not only improve connectivity but also support sustainable growth by making travel smoother and safer for everyone.”
In Phuket, the flagship project, often referred to locally as the “Phuket Expressway Project,” includes the long-discussed Kathu-Patong Tunnel, designed to cut travel time between these bustling districts. Phase 1 of the project, which focuses on the Kathu-Patong section, is already in motion, with EXAT working closely with Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat to finalize details.
A second phase, the Muang Mai-Koh Kaew-Kathu Expressway, is also in the planning stages, undergoing an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to ensure it meets sustainability standards. Once completed, the expressway is expected to reduce the journey from Phuket International Airport to Patong Beach, a route notorious for delays during peak seasons.
Meanwhile, on Koh Samui, discussions are underway to introduce a tollway system to ease congestion around popular areas like Chaweng Beach and the Fisherman’s Village. While specific routes are yet to be publicly detailed, this aligns with Thailand’s broader push to modernize infrastructure in its tourism hubs, spurred in part by the global spotlight from projects like HBO’s The White Lotus Season 3, filmed across Bangkok, Phuket, and Koh Samui.
The announcement comes amid other efforts to tackle traffic on Phuket, including a AI-driven traffic management system modeled after Singapore’s Smart Mobility 2030 initiative. Set to be Thailand’s first such system, it will optimize intersections and enhance safety by integrating with local police and agencies. Governor Sophon has hailed these combined efforts as transformative, noting at a December 2024 meeting with EXAT, “This expressway will play a crucial role in solving Phuket’s traffic challenges and supporting the province’s overall development.”
However, the projects are not without challenges. The Phuket Expressway’s EIA and investment studies are still pending Cabinet approval, and land allocation issues could delay timelines. On Samui, the smaller scale of the island poses hurdles for large-scale road development. Critics also question whether tollways might strain local budgets or shift costs onto residents and tourists, though EXAT has assured that the economic benefits—such as increased tourism revenue—will outweigh initial investments.
For now, optimism runs high. With Phuket and Samui seeing record tourism interest—search data recently showed an 88% spike for Samui and 66% for Phuket, fueled by The White Lotus hype—the tollways could cement their status as must-visit getaways.
