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Governor moves for Phuket light rail project to start in 2017

PHUKET: Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada is moving to get construction of the Phuket light rail project started as soon as next year to relieve the island’s traffic woes and boost its tourism for the future.

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By The Phuket News

Tuesday 26 July 2016, 04:27PM

A graphic of the light rail system shows a train running through Phuket Town. Photo: PR Dept

Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada will add the Phuket light-rail project to the 2017 budget so funds can be approved to get construction started. Photo: PR Dept

Phuket Vice Governor Khajornkiet Rakpanichmanee

The announcement from Gov Chamroen came yesterday (July 25) when he presided over a meeting with a committee in charge of organising Phuket’s traffic.

Also in attendance at the meeting were Vice Governor Khajornkiet Rakpanichmanee; Phuket Highways Office Director Patiwetwutisak Sukkhee and other officials.

During the meeting, a representative from the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planing (OTP) explained to officials details of the construction plan for the Phuket light rail which has been designed by the OTP.

Gov Chamroen went on to explain further that the OTP has adjusted the original plans for light rail project to make it more suitable for each area through which it will pass, and that the new plans will affect local residents less than before.

“The engineering involved for this project focuses on safety details for this new public transportation system,” he said.

“The OTP is currently adjusting and improving the construction plan to accommodate the new infrastructure which have been built along Thepkrasattri Rd. The design must be as perfect as possible so construction fits perfectly with the underpasses, roundabouts and other areas such as the airport, Thepsrisin Bridge (Klong Koh Phee) in Wichit and roads within the Phuket City Municipality boundary.

“After the adjustments are complete we will add this project to our list in the 2017 budget so we can get the funds to get construction started,” he added.

Sir Burr | 28 July 2016 - 11:28:32

The policy of having short tenure for public officials like provincial governors, was brought in to stop officials becoming corrupt and entrenched.
This policy has brought other problems. One governor, because his tenure was so short, to recoup his investment, pretty much became a "smash and grab" specialist.

Kurt | 28 July 2016 - 07:47:14

Almost 1 year ago, on 21 August 2015, PN did report on a meeting of Phuket officials, held on 20 August 2015.
It was about the Patong Hill tunnel.
We, the public, were informed, that Patong hill tunnel construction/engineering plan, infrastructure plan, and all adjustments were done.
The Governor told us that time he 'moves' the Patong Hill tunnel project would start in about 1 year tim...

Ed Sanders | 27 July 2016 - 18:34:04

Silly people...why bother offering common sense approaches to transportation solutions...and Christy, the audacity to suggest that Thai officials would solicit foreign expertise!  Come on now... we all know that large construction projects like this are the primary source of graft and corruption for Thai officials, and that none of them care about finding solutions for anything, particularly trans...

Kurt | 27 July 2016 - 11:10:40

Can a light rail train/tram handle Patong hill and the hills between Patong and Kamala?
The proposed route is ok, many local people will use it.
At the stops they can take taxi motorbike.
It is about time that also the local people get a bit of public transport on the richest (island) province of Thailand.

Christy Sweet | 27 July 2016 - 09:15:29

Very poor choice of route when the already cleared path under the electric pylon is so perfect for this. This is a very good example of how some foreign expertise would really benefit everyone involved-at least those with public interests at heart, and I'm sure the consensus would be hop on and off buses. Of course that would be difficult to skim from.

Timothy | 27 July 2016 - 09:00:43

They have an incinerator that does not work. No washroom facilities at any beaches. Apparently no budget for regular collection of debris. Yet they keep talking about a silly light rail system. If they would use even some of the 300 buses they just acquired to run a regular schedule around Phuket, they wouldn't need the light rail system.

Sir Burr | 27 July 2016 - 06:05:18

How is a light rail project that doesn't have a single route to the west coast beaches, going to help tourism?
The proposed route from the airport to Chalong will be good for Thai workers.......but, tourists?

cojo105 | 27 July 2016 - 03:49:11

This is a really poor hugely expensive idea. Phuket needs an inexpensive comprehensive island wide bus service. 
We already have the roads. It can offer FREE travel to students, school children and the elderly. This will save lives and injuries by getting vulnerable people off their bikes and onto buses. There will be less traffic. People will still have to get to and from LR stations, bus routes...

Kurt | 26 July 2016 - 23:30:59

So far there are budgets to 'study' a Patong Hill tunnel and a light rail.
How much was the 'adjustment' budget?
That are the most loved things, a study/adjustment budget for talks.
When the money is finished, and it will be, than they put a few words on paper, send it to Bangkok with a advice.
Job done, money gone.
After 2017 probably many other new officials start working on...

Tak | 26 July 2016 - 19:21:45

After the adjustments are complete we will add this project our list in the 2017 budget so we can get the funds to get construction started,” he added.

So there is no budget !!! There will be no budget in 2017 but just put on the list. The construction will not start in 2017. This project will never happen same like the tunnel to Patong which is under investigation and discussion for the last...