His assurance comes after the project’s approval during the March visit of the mobile cabinet.
Now that approval has been given, the government requires Phuket authorities to conduct detailed planning studies and submit them to the Ministry of Transport (MoT) for approval.
Governor Tri has requested such studies from the various companies that have shown interest in building the project. Once complete, the governor will meet with MoT to present them.
“MoT has paid attention to the Phuket light rail,” said Gov Tri. “With many qualified companies showing their interest in building it, we will be able to give a presentation to the MOT by August.”
Currently nine companies; five from China, three from South Korea, and one from Germany; have shown their interest in what would be Phuket’s most comprehensive public transportation system.
However, the governor said that only three of them have showed serious interest. The three will be brought to meet with MoT soon.
“If everything goes according to plan, we will arrange the bidding process before my retirement [this September],” said Gov Tri.
The president of South Korean company Dowha Engineering, Sung Min Lee, visited the governor today (May 23) to discuss the light railway project. It is his second time in Phuket after he showed interest in the project last year.
This time, he came to collect information in order to conduct the project study, which is due to be completed in the next three months.
Mr Lee also said the company would be interested in bidding for the proposed Patong tunnel project.