The Phuket Island Light Rail Transit project is a planned
MRTA light rail transit system for
Phuket
Phuket (; th, ภูเก็ต, , ms, Bukit or ''Tongkah''; Hokkien:普吉; ) is one of the southern provinces (''changwat'') of Thailand. It consists of the island of Phuket, the country's largest island, and another 32 smaller islands of ...
and
Phang Nga
Phang Nga ( th, พังงา, , ) is a town (''thesaban mueang'') in southern Thailand, capital of Phang Nga Province. The town covers the whole ''tambon'' Thai Chang of Amphoe Mueang Phang Nga, Mueang Phang Nga district. As of 2005 it had a ...
provinces in
Thailand
Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is b ...
. The line will consist of 24 stations running from
Takua Thung District in
Phang Nga Province to
Phuket City
Phuket ( ; or , ) is a city in the southeast of Phuket Island, Thailand. It is the capital of Phuket province. the city had a population of 79,308. It covers the subdistricts (''tambons'') Talat Yai () and Talat Nuea () of Mueang Phuket dis ...
and terminating at
Chalong intersection. The line will have
at-grade At-grade may refer to:
* At-grade intersection, a crossing between roads on the same level
* Road junction
*Level crossing, where a road or path crosses a railway on the same level
* Diamond crossing, where two railway tracks cross
* At-grade railwa ...
and
elevated
An elevated railway or elevated train (also known as an el train for short) is a rapid transit railway with the tracks above street level on a viaduct or other elevated structure (usually constructed from steel, cast iron, concrete, or bricks ...
sections. The cost of the project is estimated at 35 billion
baht
The baht (; th, บาท, ; sign: ฿; code: THB) is the official currency of Thailand. It is divided into 100 ''satang'' (, ). The issuance of currency is the responsibility of the Bank of Thailand. SWIFT ranked the Thai baht as the 10th-m ...
(approximately US$1.1 billion).
Phase one will connect
Phuket International Airport
Phuket International Airport ( th, ท่าอากาศยานภูเก็ต, ) is an international airport serving the Phuket Province of Thailand. It is in the north of Phuket Island, from the centre of Phuket City. The airport ...
to Chalong with 21 stations and be long. The second phase will extend the line north from Thalang station to
Takua Thung District in order to connect with a proposed
Surat Thani
Surat Thani ( th, สุราษฎร์ธานี, ) is a city in Amphoe Mueang Surat Thani, Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand. It lies south of Bangkok. It is the capital of Surat Thani Province. The city has a population of 1 ...
–
Phang Nga Province SRT intercity railway line.
The project was planned to be tendered in late 2019 with construction starting in 2020 for a scheduled 2024 opening of Phase 1. However, in August 2020 during a public meeting in Phuket town the MRTA Assistant Governor Sarot Torsuwan stated that the project would be tendered as a PPP (Public–Private Partnership) project in 2022. The change to a PPP tender process would require a new study by the MRTA and a new EIA with Cabinet expected to consider the study in October 2021.
In mid May 2021, the Transport Minister ordered the MRTA to consider an automatic BRT style line with a view to reduce the total project cost by just over 15 billion baht. Additionally, the Minister suggested delaying the project until 2030 to minimise overall traffic disruption on Phuket due to the planned construction of the Patong Tunnel which is due to be completed by 2028.
Route Alignment
The
LRT line will run along a north-south axis of Phuket Island. The planned route stretches for from Takua Thung in
Phang Nga Province to
Chalong via Phuket town. Phase one will connect Phuket International Airport with Chalong. It will consist of 21 stations and be 41.7km long.
The second phase will run for a distance of from Thalang (S02) north across the Phuket bridge to
Takua Thung District and have three stations.
History
The original plan for mass transit on Phuket Island was first proposed in 2005. However, it was not until 2010 that the Phuket governor proposed a heavy rail metro idea as a requirement for the island to meet increasing tourism and local transport demands. By mid-2014, the project had evolved into a planned light rail line of nearly 60 km in length running from the north of the island to the south. The
Ministry of Transport
A ministry of transport or transportation is a ministry responsible for transportation within a country. It usually is administered by the ''minister for transport''. The term is also sometimes applied to the departments or other government ag ...
approved the project in principle in November 2015 at an estimated cost of 23.5 billion baht. Public meetings were held in February 2017 seeking feedback and comments from the public into the project.
In April 2017, it was announced that the
MRTA had approved the
Ministry of Transport
A ministry of transport or transportation is a ministry responsible for transportation within a country. It usually is administered by the ''minister for transport''. The term is also sometimes applied to the departments or other government ag ...
's Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) design of the project with a view to seeking cabinet approval in 2018. Cabinet approval was granted on 11 September 2018.
Planning Progress
Contracts for project investment studies were signed at the end of July 2018 and were completed by the end of 2018. They were considered by the MRTA board for approval by in early 2019 and then reviewed by the Transport Ministry. Phuket provincial authorities have reportedly been in discussions with both Siemens and Bombardier regarding the project.
OTP Deputy Director Wilairat Sirisoponsil, stated that the Phuket light rail project design was complete, and has been added into the PPP (Public–Private Partnership) Fast Track. However, detailed design issues have arisen with the Department of Highways opposed to some sections of the project and concerns regarding any impact on road lanes. However, the design changes may increase the overall budget by 2 billion baht according to the MRTA. The line is projected to serve up to 70,000 passengers per day, passing by 40 schools and business districts en route. Fares are expected to cost from 15 to 25
baht
The baht (; th, บาท, ; sign: ฿; code: THB) is the official currency of Thailand. It is divided into 100 ''satang'' (, ). The issuance of currency is the responsibility of the Bank of Thailand. SWIFT ranked the Thai baht as the 10th-m ...
. Some critics have cited officials who say that fares will top out at 100–137 baht.
The project was planned to be tendered in late 2019 with construction starting in 2020 for a scheduled 2024 opening of Phase 1. However, in August 2020 during a public meeting in Phuket town the MRTA Assistant Governor Sarot Torsuwan stated that the project would be delayed and tendered as a PPP project in 2022. Subsequently in mid May 2021, the Transport Minister ordered the MRTA to consider an automatic BRT style line with a view to reduce the total project cost by just over 15 billion baht.
At a public consultation meeting held in Phuket town on 12 November 2021, the MRTA Assistant Governor stated that the two options of a BRT style service or the preferred option of a light rail were still being evaluated and that it was possible for construction to begin in 2023 ready with the line ready for service in 2026.
See also
*
Chiang Mai light rail transit
*
Khon Kaen Light Rail Transit
The Khon Kaen Light Rail Transit Project is a planned light rail transit system consisting of an initial 16 stations to serve Khon Kaen Province in north-east Thailand. A Phase 2 five-station extension is also planned. The line will have bot ...
*
List of urban rail systems in Thailand
References
External links
"MRTA Phuket Mass Transit System website"
{{Urban Rail Transit in ASEAN
Rail transport in Thailand
Proposed rail infrastructure in Thailand
Light rail in Asia
2024 in rail transport