New Thai PM Srettha Thavisin is heading to Phuket and Phang Nga Friday to follow up transportation infrastructure and planning projects. One of the main projects is the new ‘Andaman International Airport’ to be built in Khok Kloi, just 15 minutes north of Phuket’s Sarasin Bridge.
His visit is a follow up his first visit just days ofter becoming the new PM a month ago. Apart from the new international airport, he is following up two stretches of a proposed expressway. He is targeting Phuket as a major tourist-driver for the Thai economy and is keenly pushing ahead with a number of local infrastructure projects.
After some meetings at the Phuket Airport the PM and entourage will bead to inspect the site of the Patong Tunnel at 1:30pm.
AKA the Kathu-Patong project, he will meet with representatives from locals agencies as well as local citizens to listen to opinions on solving the local traffic challenges and discuss the expropriation issues, necessary to allow the project to move ahead.
He’ll arrive at the site of the proposed Andaman International Airport’ in Khok Kloi at 3pm. He will discuss the project with Phang Nga officials and stresses that he would like the new international terminal operating by 2027.
Airports of Thailand has already moved forward with its 70 billion baht plan to build a new airport in Phang Nga, located north of Phuket, to accommodate the increasing number of tourists coming to the Andaman region.
The new international airport in Phang Nga is intended to alleviate the air traffic congestion at Phuket International Airport. The land is located between Kok Kloi village and the Phang Nga township.
The new Andaman International Airport is estimated to cost 70 billion baht. The main goal is to boost tourism in Phuket and the wider Andaman region.
The AoT will begin feasibility studies, which will include Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements, before the end of this year.
The other roadway project is the Sakoo – Kathu expressway which would run approximately parallel, and on the west side, of the current north-south Thepkasattri Road. The expressway is a major solution to the huge volume of traffic currently being carried on Thepkasattri Road, and would shorten the lengthening trips from the airport to the island’s most popular seaside destinations.
The new Prime Minister pledged to boost tourism in Phuket and expand the international airport’s capacity to prepare for a likely surge in arrivals during the high season in November. He made the promises on his first visit to Phuket, just three days after being elected as Thailand’s 30th Prime Minister.
