Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit The Transport Minister revealed that due to traffic congestion problems in the province Phuket, especially around the main road (Highway 402), and overall tourism is continuously growing. With both Thai and foreign tourists traveling to Phuket, more than 10 million people per year, causing the economy to spread. Generate more than 300 billion baht of income into the country per year. Therefore, the Ministry and all related agencies have hastened the preparation of development plans to make travel more flexible on all routes. and can accommodate tourists from all sectors without traffic problems on the main road (Highway 402) being congested. In the short term, he has ordered the Department of Highways (DPWH) to manage 4 processes: 1. Improve the processing system. Intelligent traffic lights at every intersection 2. Manage roadside parking and clearly define parking prohibitions. In order not to obstruct traffic on the main road. 3. Closed U-turn points in some areas. But there must be thorough public relations so that the public is informed of the changes that have occurred and 4. Koh Kaew Intersection. There is an experimental idea for cars to drive straight through intersections only on the main road. As for secondary roads, all left turns and U-turns will be allowed only during rush hour for the next stretch. A plan has been made for the construction of 3 important projects to solve traffic problems on main highways in the long term, including: 1. New road construction project Ban Muang Mai section – three-way intersection into Phuket Airport Construction of a new road with 4 traffic lanes and an interchange, distance 1.95 kilometers (km.) 2. Construction project to expand traffic lanes, Highway 4027, Ban Phara – Ban Mueang Mai section. Construction of expanding the original road from 2 traffic lanes to 4 traffic lanes, a distance of 4.55 km., and construction of 3 bridges with U-turn points under the bridges and 3. Construction project Interchange at the intersection of Highways 402 with Highways 4027 and Highways 4025 (Tharbour Intersection). All 3 projects are expected to expedite construction to start within 2024, early 2025, and must be completed and ready for the public. You can use the service during the year. 2026-2027 In terms of tourism support plan, a plan has been prepared to expand Phuket Airport to accommodate 18 million tourists per year, from the original capacity of 12.5 million people per year, with an expansion in the terminal. Initially, construction is expected to take approximately 3 months. year, starting from 2026 and will be completed in 2026. 2029, but in the short term the company Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited or AOT takes over internal management of the entire system for maximum efficiency. And after that there will be further investment. At the same time, there is a plan to build Andaman Airport. in Phang Nga Province Currently in the process of viewing the area. If there is clarity and progress, guidelines for further construction will be considered. Read. “Thairath newspaper columns” all here
