EXAT organized an Opinion Hearing Session for the Operation and Maintenance of the Expressway Phuket Project, Phase 1: Kathu-Patong Section, and Phase 2: Mueang Mai-Ko Kaeo-Kathu Section

The Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT) organized an Opinion Hearing Session for the Operation and Maintenance of the Expressway Phuket Project, Phase 1: Kathu-Patong Section, and Phase 2: Mueang Mai-Ko Kaeo-Kathu Section, on March 7, 2025, from 08:30 am. to 04:00 pm., at Carlton Grand Ballroom, 9th Floor, Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit; aiming to incorporate the ideas obtained into the study and analysis report, in compliance with the Public-Private Partnership Act, B.E. 2562 (2019). The session was presided by Mr. Surachet Laophulsuk, Governor of the Expressway Authority of Thailand, with the honor received from Mr. Gardphajon Udomdhammabhakdi, Deputy Governor for Strategy and Planning of the Expressway Authority of Thailand, the Deputy Governor of Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization, and the Mayor of Phuket City, who were also present at the session. The audience included construction companies; traffic management and toll collection systems integrators; expressway, special highways and rapid transit operators; financial institutions/joint investment consultants, foreign embassies in Thailand, associations, educational institutions, local authorities, government agencies, state enterprises, media and the project consulting group. Totally, 214 representatives from various organizations attended the session, 190 of which were on site and the other 24 via zoom Webinar. In the afternoon of the same day, an interview session was also conducted for interested private entities, which were divided into 2 groups. First was related to finance and investment model, which welcomed 17 representatives from 4 companies. Second was about construction, operation and maintenance, with 4 representatives from 2 companies participating.

According to the study conducted to find the best approach for project implementation, the EXAT will be responsible for land acquisition, including the design and construction of civil works for both Phase 1: Kathu Patong Section and Phase 2: Mueang Mai Ko Kaeo Kathu Section. And in order to utilize the private sectors proficiency and expertise, the EXAT has opened an opportunity for the private sector to take part in systems construction, for example, toll collection system and traffic control system, etc., including the operation and maintenance (O&M) of the 2 phases. The project cost of investment consists of land acquisition, civil works (including construction supervision fee) and the construction of toll collection and traffic control systems (system works), which covers approx. 16,759 MB for phase 1 and 45,930 MB for phase 2. The costs of systems construction and O&M for both phases are 2,230 MB and 24,800 MB (for the entire 30 years) respectively. Toll rates for phase 1 will be in the form of flat rate, with the rates in the service commencement year (2030) being Baht 15/ 40/ 85/ 125 for motorcycles/ 4 wheelers/ 6-10 wheelers and over-10 wheelers respectively. On the other hand, the distance-based rates will be adopted for phase 2, with the entry rates of Baht 40/ 80/ 120 plus the distance-based rates of Baht 1.50/ 3.00/ 4.50 per km. for motorcycles/ 4 wheelers/ 6-10 wheelers and over-10 wheelers respectively. The traffic volume forecasted in the service commencement year (2030) is approx. 69,386 cars/day. The project is found to be feasible financially and economically, with the FIRR being 1.82% and the EIRR, 18.85%.

The Phuket Expressway Project provides locals and tourists with an alternative for transportation, aiming not only to help alleviate the traffic congestions on Thep Krasattri (Highway No. 402) and Phra Barami Roads (Highway No. 4029), but also increase transportation capacity and solve traffic problems in Phuket Province as a whole, which is believed to facilitate motorists in traveling more smoothly, more conveniently and safely.