Deputy Transport Minister Omsin Cheevapruek raised the concept during his visit to the island last Sunday (June 26).
“There has been a lot of discussion about this project and I want provincial officials to draft a proposal and submit it to the central government again,” Mr Omsin told The Phuket News.
Mr Omsin recognised that the proposal has already faced harsh criticism. “Many people have already voiced objections to the idea of the construction,” he said.
“Many people are concerned that the project might affect the environment by disturbing or changing water currents, and thus pose a threat to turtles continuing to return to the area,” he noted.
Regardless, he called for local officials to file a new proposal for review.
“Today, the Phuket runway is three kilometres long and cannot accommodate large airplanes. Studies have shown that it needs to be extended by one kilometre to do so,” he said.
“Many countries have extended runways into the sea and they are doing well, so Phuket needs to push for this project and find a way to make it happen.”
Sarayuth Mullum, Vice President of the Phuket Tourist Association, openly disagreed with the idea.
“It would be better if the runway were extended (eastward) toward Thepkrasattri Rd because the construction would be easier and the runway could be extended much further, too,” he said.
“Not many people oppose this option because the project will not destroy the beauty of Phuket’s beaches, as extending the runway to west into the sea would affect many beautiful beaches, including those at Bang Tao, Surin, Naithon, Nai Yang and so on
“However, if we have no choice but to extend the runway to the west, then we will need the construction technology not only to make the runway longer, but also to create the space needed for large planes to turn around,” Mr Sarayuth said.
Mr Omsin said the project was worthy of consideration as the Transport Ministry placed “high value” on Phuket province as the island is a popular tourism destination.
“Every year millions of tourists visit Phuket and the number of arrivals is expected to only increase, so the island’s infrastructure must be ready,” he said.
Mr Omsin cited the Phuket light-rail project, from Tha Khanoon in Phang Nga to Chalong Circle, via Phuket Airport, as one example of the type of infrastructure the ministry believes Phuket needs.
“The project has been approved and is already underway. The private sector will invest in the project via a public-private partnership. Hopefully, the construction for this project will start soon,” he said.