Two tolled expressways in Thailand will benefit from funding worth a total of US$878.6 million. These are the Kaset Expressway and the Phuket Expressway, with the funding being supplied by the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT).
Meanwhile, the Phuket Expressway connects with the Kathu-Patong Expressway in Phuket. This project will be carried out in two stages, with the first being for a 4km tunnel stretch linking Kathu and Patong. The tunnel construction will take 36 months to complete and will face a number of technical challenges, which is why it is being prioritised. The second stage will be for the less complex construction of a 30.6km expressway linking Mai City, Koh Kaew and Kathu.
The tender process for the work has yet to open but EXAT says that this could be complete and awards made by the third quarter of 2025.
In addition, drilling is now underway in the seabed as part of the preparatory works for the bridge planned to link Surat Thani with the island of Koh Samui. This project is also being managed by EXAT and is expected to help boost tourism for Koh Samui. The bridge will be tolled and will allow drivers to complete the crossing in just 40 minutes, speeding journeys considerably in comparison with the existing ferry. The toll fare is also expected to be slightly lower than the fare for the current ferry service.
