By Editor

 

The Public Relations Department of Koh Samui is reporting that the Transport Minister, Saksayam Chidchop, has approved a project to construct the Koh Samui – Khanom Bridge connecting the island with the mainland of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.

 

It was reported that Saksayam has given the green light for the Koh Samui – Khanom Bridge as one of five projects in which the Transport Ministry, Highways Department, Rural Roads Department, and Expressway Authority of Thailand will work together to study, plan, and design the bridge.

 

 

A budget for 25 billion THB will be spent on the Koh Samui – Khanom Bridge which will be 17 kilometres long, connecting Phangka Beach in the southwest of Koh Samui in Surat Thani to the Khanom district of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

 

The bridge aims to solve the big queuing problems at the ferry piers, with delays of up to five hours for a ferry from Koh Samui to Khanom district during the long weekends.

 

 

Additionally it was reported that some ferry companies have reduced their services from departures every hour to only six ferries available per day due to the decreasing number of tourists and rising fuel prices.

 

The Koh Samui – Khanom Bridge was the idea of Virach Pongchababnapa, a local hotel owner on Koh Samui. He created a 3D model and proposed it to the Transport Ministry.

 

Locals and officials agreed that the bridge would benefit both Koh Samui locals and tourists. The transportation between Koh Samui and Surat Thani will be more convenient and faster. One official added that the province and country could also earn more income by introducing a toll.

 

Source: https://royalcoastreview.com/2022/07/approval-reported-for-a-bridge-between-koh-samui-and-the-mainland/

 

-- © Copyright Royal Coast Review 2022-07-20

 

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A good idea if the bridge ever gets built. The ferry operators will not like this one little bit. A big plus for Samui making access easier in all weathers.

 

This is going to take a long time to build, if it ever completes.  The super highway connecting throughout Isaan still isn't done years later... 

Bangkok AIr will probably try to stop it since they own the airport.

In any event, sounds like a 10 year project probably full of many construction issues and potential corruption.

1 hour ago, Maha Sarakham said:

This is going to take a long time to build, if it ever completes.  The super highway connecting throughout Isaan still isn't done years later... 

yep maybe a bridge to far. Better to finish off all the other projects that are half finished. 

This wet dream project no doubt has already identified Sino-Thai construction as a preferred contractor

i often tell my friends that i am in the wrong business in thailand. i want in on this bad.

 

anyone ever drive out rama 2 over the last 15 or so years ? 

2 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

The ferry operators will not like this one little bit.

Yes, but i am sure that the officials with shares in the ferries long sold them before releasing the plan

Looking at the drawing it looks like they are planning observation platforms too.  With plenty of parking I would imagine...

Oh man I could only imagine the car and pickup graveyard under that bridge with Thailands skilled drivers and 17km of elevated road with our famous sideways monsoon storms that kick up down here. 

Amazing. They even integrated the space for the food vendors:

 

4 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

The ferry operators will not like this one little bit.

No. But the taxi driver will be rubbing their hands with glee.

 

If it does ever come to fruition, it might at least finally force Bangkok Airways to drop their prices.

Too cool ... liking the bike path.  I would definitely visit, as the ferry is a turn off, and Samui isn't worth the hassle.  But if I could drive over ... that works.

 

Not a single ornamental lamp post. I bet that'll change...

They'll probably start the bridge as soon as they finish building the canal across the isthmus they began planning about 30 years ago.

 

I suppose that’s in the 20 year plan along with the Submarines that are still waiting to have engines fitted Yesterday I read that Samui plans to have a berth terminal for all the cruise ships that will be arriving it reminds me of the plans some 16 years ago to build a marina to accommodate up to 200 small craft in Samui I don’t even think it got as far as dredging the area to make the water deeper  It’s all a pipe dream that will never happen unless big brown envelopes are exchanged 

49 minutes ago, crazykopite said:

I suppose that’s in the 20 year plan along with the Submarines that are still waiting to have engines fitted Yesterday I read that Samui plans to have a berth terminal for all the cruise ships that will be arriving it reminds me of the plans some 16 years ago to build a marina to accommodate up to 200 small craft in Samui I don’t even think it got as far as dredging the area to make the water deeper  It’s all a pipe dream that will never happen unless big brown envelopes are exchanged 

That is why it will be done!

5 hours ago, bkk6060 said:

Bangkok AIr will probably try to stop it since they own the airport.

In any event, sounds like a 10 year project probably full of many construction issues and potential corruption.

Bangkok Airways probably won't care, cutting an hour or two from a long transportation time around 15 hours means nothing compared to 65 minutes flying time, people will still fly from Bangkok, which is the by most major route.

3 hours ago, rwill said:

Looking at the drawing it looks like they are planning observation platforms too.  With plenty of parking I would imagine...

They are, same old plan as for many years...????

This "news" story pops up every year since I moved to Thailand 2006. 

 

Here's a very old picture. 

Should have built it when it was only 7.5 billion. ???? 

 

7 hours ago, webfact said:

has approved a project to construct the Koh Samui – Khanom Bridge

To be constructed by the Chinese to facilitate the easy passage of their tour buses onto the island resort???

3 hours ago, crazykopite said:

reminds me of the plans some 16 years ago to build a marina to accommodate up to 200 small craft in Samui

That is still 'under consideration' along with Thaksin's second airport and the ski slope.

(They actually started the ski slope - I saw the photos!)

8 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

A good idea if the bridge ever gets built. The ferry operators will not like this one little bit. A big plus for Samui making access easier in all weathers.

 

"...all weathers..."

 

Does this location always have calm weather with no chance of high winds, high waves, tsunamis, etc?

10 hours ago, webfact said:

A budget for 25 billion THB will be spent on the Koh Samui – Khanom Bridge which will be 17 kilometres long, connecting Phangka Beach in the southwest of Koh Samui in Surat Thani to the Khanom district of Nakhon Si Thammarat.

As long as Sino-Thai construction whatever & Co don't build it I'm in favour.

funny how this shows up right after Seatran gave the local government a big up yours and reduced ferry services after being told they were not allowed to increase prices.

 

7 hours ago, klauskunkel said:

 

Not a single ornamental lamp post. I bet that'll change...

Where's all the overhead power cables and poles? 

Not got a chance of being built unless they go cap in hand to the Chinese for finance and skilled, 'conscripted' labour to build it.

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

As long as Sino-Thai construction whatever & Co don't build it I'm in favour.

You might be disappointed, as these folks built the last 2 projects:

Participants

Wind tunnel testing

• Danish Maritime Institute

Structural engineering

• Asian Engineering Consultants Corporation

Construction engineers

• Wiecon

Co-contractor

• Nishimatsu Construction Co. Ltd.
• NKK Corporation
• Sino-Thai Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd.
• Taisei Construction

Stay cables

Structurae Plus

Prestressing

Structurae Plus

Formwork & shoring

Structurae Plus

Lifting

Structurae Plus

Construction supervision

• Jean Muller International

On 7/20/2022 at 11:02 AM, khunPer said:

Bangkok Airways probably won't care, cutting an hour or two from a long transportation time around 15 hours means nothing compared to 65 minutes flying time, people will still fly from Bangkok, which is the by most major route.

But people might be prepared to drive to Surat Thani airport and fly from there. Apparently much cheaper fares from there to BKK.

48 minutes ago, phetphet said:

But people might be prepared to drive to Surat Thani airport and fly from there. Apparently much cheaper fares from there to BKK.

Too much longer travel time - at least two hours more, even with a bridge - I would rather pay little more for excellent service, and I know many that says the same. And what do you think the taxi-dare will be from somewhere on Samui to Surat Thani Airport?