Phuket –
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has dismissed claims that the Phuket Tram Project has been canceled, saying the island’s mass transit plan remains in place but will move forward in stages. According to the transport minister, the government is now sequencing construction to prevent added congestion and limit disruption to residents’ daily travel.
Phiphat said the tram system requires extensive road space and supporting infrastructure, which would worsen traffic if built before existing bottlenecks are resolved. Authorities are therefore prioritizing road upgrades and congestion relief before advancing rail development.
Major projects include the Kathu–Patong Tunnel under Phuket Expressway Phase 1, a 3.98-kilometer route with a budget of 16.76 billion baht. Bid openings are scheduled for January 2026, with completion targeted for 2031. Phuket Expressway Phase 2, covering the Muang Mai–Koh Kaew–Kathu section, covers 30.62 kilometers with an investment of 46.75 billion baht and is set to begin construction in 2027, with service expected to start in 2031.
As a transitional step, the government plans to introduce electric buses along the future tram corridors. The buses will operate at planned station locations, allowing residents and visitors to familiarize themselves with public transport routes ahead of rail construction.
Phiphat said the first phase of the light rail project, running from Phuket International Airport to the Chalong Five-Way Intersection, is expected to proceed after 2030. By that time, the expressway network is expected to ease traffic congestion, allowing tram construction to proceed with minimal impact on road users.
The preceding is a press release from the Thai Government PR Department.
