The meeting, led by Phuket Chamber of Commerce President Kongsak Khoophongsakorn, brought together major private-sector leaders including Montawee Hongyok, President of the Phuket branch of the Council of Industry; Rangsiman Kingkaew, President of the Phuket Tourism Industry Council; Bhummikitti Ruktaengam, President of the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation; and Chinnawat Udomniyom, President of the Phuket Boutique Accommodation Association.
The delegation said the proposals were aimed at tackling long-standing bottlenecks in transport, water supply, waste management, and healthcare that threaten Phuket’s growth as a sustainable, world-class tourist destination.
Mr Kongsak said Phuket’s tourism recovery between late 2025 and early 2026 makes it vital that the government accelerates key transport projects, particularly the long-delayed Patong Tunnel under the responsibility of the Expressway Authority of Thailand. The private sector wants to see construction start within this year as originally planned.
Business leaders also called for the expressway project linking Phuket Airport to Thepkrasattri Rd to be prioritised, saying it would significantly reduce travel times from the airport to Phuket Town and major tourism areas.
In addition, the private sector urged the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) to fast-track its feasibility study for widening Chao Fa West Rd (Route 4024) from Central Phuket to Rawai – about 15 kilometres – from four lanes to six. The group said the route is critical for access to the island’s southern beaches and could be expanded immediately once funding is secured.
To address the island’s chronic water shortages and flooding, the group pressed for progress on the long-awaited water pipeline project from Phang Nga to Phuket, describing it as essential to the province’s future water security.
On public health, the private sector raised concerns about delays in the Songklanagarind Hospital (Phuket) project.
Although the Cabinet approved the 300-bed hospital with a B3.14-billion budget in January this year, the allocation has not yet been included in the 2026 fiscal plan.
Mr Kongsak said construction must be expedited to relieve pressure on overcrowded facilities at Vachira Phuket, Thalang, Patong, and Chalong hospitals.
The business group also called for urgent approval of Phuket’s second waste-disposal plant to cope with mounting garbage. The island now produces over 1,400 tonnes of waste daily, exceeding the capacity of the Saphan Hin incinerator.
The new facility is proposed for the Bang Khanun Forest area, pending land-use approval from the Royal Forest Department and the Third Naval Area Command.
In addition, the group voiced strong support for developing a ‘taxi boat’ service to ease road congestion during the high season. They proposed operating it for six months each year, subject to safety and marine park regulations, and urged authorities to clear legal hurdles for private investment in water transport.
“All projects proposed by the Phuket private sector represent a collaborative effort to promote balanced and sustainable growth for the province,” Mr Kongsak said. “We are ready to support the government and relevant agencies to achieve tangible results as quickly as possible.”