Members of Phuket's private sector gathered at The Metropole Hotel last month to hear details of a proposed mass transit project for the city.

Hosted by the Mass Transit Authority of Thailand, the market sounding seminar was the first of two events held to gauge investor interest in the development, with the other taking place in Bangkok five days later.

Speakers included MRT Project Development Department Director Gardphajon Udomdhammabhakdi, Phuket Governer Phakaphong Tawipatana, MRTA Deputy Governor Theeraphan Tachasirinugune, and co-project manager Akkrawath Siriworrapitak.

Spanning a distance of 42 kilometres, the proposed Mass Transit project is planned start at Phuket International Airport, before heading towards Phuket City, afterwhich the alignment  will be lowered  to underground level for approximately 3 kilometres at Thalang district.

After being liftedback up to ground level, the planned route passes Thao  Thep  Krasattri  and  Thao  Sri  Sunthon  Monument  (The  Two  Heroines  Monument),  Phuket  bus  terminal,  Phuket  Municipality  and  Phuket  Road,  before  crossing  the  Thepsrisin  Bridge  in  order  to  enter  into Chao Fa (East) Road, eventually terminating at Chalong Intersection..

It is being implemented under the Public-Private Partnership Net Cost scheme, by which the concessionaire is entitled to all revenue and income collected from the Project and shall offer remuneration to the government.

Construction is expected to begin next year, with the projected scheduled for completion in 2023.

Source: Mass Transit Authority of Thailand

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