Phuket –
Phuket is charting a new course in public transportation with the launch of its ambitious “Boat Taxi” project, aimed at reducing road congestion and enhancing travel options for both locals and tourists. The initiative, set to begin trial operations this November, will connect key coastal destinations via water routes—starting with a pilot line between Phuket International Airport and Patong Beach.
At a signing ceremony held on September 12th at the Mook Anda Conference Room in Phuket Provincial Hall, Governor Sophon Suwannarat formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, represented by Director-General Atthaphon Charoenchansa. The agreement also included participation from the Regional Office of Marine Department and the Office of Conservation Area Management Region 5, alongside various public and private business owners.
The pilot route will span 16.7 nautical miles from Sirinat National Park near Nai Yang Beach—adjacent to the airport—to Patong Beach, cutting travel time to just 40 minutes. During peak hours, the same journey by road can take up to three hours. Four floating piers are planned for the initial phase, with 14 proposed docking points across major beaches including Nai Thon, Bang Tao, Kamala, Karon, Kata, and Nai Harn.
The vessels will range from catamarans and speedboats to traditional long-tail boats, with capacities between 50 and 200 passengers. All boats will be equipped with AIS tracking, GPS navigation, and VHF radio communication to ensure safety and operational transparency. Discussions are also underway to incorporate electric boats (EVs) into the fleet.
Environmental stewardship is central to the project. Sirinat National Park has already submitted requests for legal approval of floating piers and mooring buoys, with the Marine Department scheduled to present the proposal to Phuket’s Waterway Encroachment Committee on September 16. Special attention is being paid to protecting sea turtle nesting areas and minimizing ecological disruption.
Director-General Atthaphon spoke about the project’s alignment with eco-friendly principles, noting that floating piers offer a low-impact solution. “This project has been in the works for years. We believe it’s feasible and beneficial—not only for traffic relief but also for promoting scenic marine tourism,” he said.
Due to weather conditions, the Boat Taxi service will operate seasonally from November to April, coinciding with Phuket’s high tourism season. Governor Sophon described the MOU as a foundational step toward designing a comprehensive water transport system that complements existing infrastructure and meets the needs of both residents and visitors.
“This is a strategic move to position Phuket as a world-class, sustainable tourism destination,” he said.
With its blend of innovation, environmental care, and tourism enhancement, the Boat Taxi project could become a model for other coastal cities grappling with similar challenges. As Phuket prepares to test the waters this November, all eyes will be on how this maritime mobility experiment unfolds.
