15 Billion Expressway Project to Connect Koh Chang Boosting Trat’s Economy and Tourism

[Georgealbert]

 

Pictures courtesy of Matichon.

 

A new expressway linking the mainland to Koh Chang is set to be constructed with a budget of THB 15 billion, aiming to significantly enhance the economy and tourism in Trat province. The project, announced on 5 April, is currently in the second phase of public consultation, with the final route selection based on engineering, financial, and environmental factors.

 

Kajphoj Udonthamphakdee, Deputy Governor of the Strategic and Planning Division at the Expressway Authority of Thailand (EXAT), explained that the public consultation sessions are designed to allow stakeholders to provide feedback on the most suitable route options for the project. This stage follows detailed studies on the engineering feasibility, economic impacts, and potential environmental effects.

 

 

The route selection process has identified three primary factors: engineering and traffic, economic investment, and environmental impact. These criteria will help to compare and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each proposed route. The option with the highest overall score will be the one taken forward for detailed design and construction.

The project will offer two preliminary designs: the first involves a four-lane expressway with concrete barriers separating traffic in each direction. Each lane will have a width of 3.5 meters, with additional shoulder space on both sides of the road. The second design option includes a bridge spanning the sea, with two main sections. One design would feature a bridge with a span of approximately 200 meters to accommodate large vessels passing beneath, while the second would have a span of 50-60 meters for smaller vessels.

 

Construction of the expressway, which will cost an estimated THB 13 billion, alongside land acquisition costs of THB 2 billion, is expected to begin in 2029 and open for service by 2032. This project is expected to improve accessibility to Koh Chang, facilitating travel for both locals and tourists, and boosting the province’s tourism industry.

 

 

-- 2025-04-06

 

[MangoKorat]

Unlikely in our lifetime. M6 still not open - 6 years late in September.

[blaze master]

If it happens. Bye bye koh chang. 

[Tropicalevo]

The outside shoulder space needs to be wider to accommodate breakdowns.

[MikeandDow]

What a joke !!  who are they going to get to build this the chinese !!

[Eloquent pilgrim]

 

Hope they keep the ferry running because that's a bridge too far for me 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

Its a smart move and a natural process in the development of a country / area.

 

This effectively knocks an hour or more off the Journey from Bangkok to Koh Chang.

 

Turning what can be 6 hour car journey unto a 4.5 hour car journey.

 

The wait for the ferry at key periods - longs weekends etc is a key decision making factor for us (our family) in going to Koh Chang or not, we don't want to wait 1-2 hrs for the ferry - as it adds too much to the journey. 

 

I'm sure many others are making similar decisions - from an economics point of view this infrastructure development potentially provides a massive longe term economic boost the local economy of Koh Chang - although, there needs to be improvement in local infrastructure if the Island is to welcome more traffic as an express way onto 'narrow single lane roads' is going to cause gridlock on the Island, this the main road infrastructure also needs major development.

 

 

"Bye bye Koh-Chang" as one poster put it - This certainly would change the character of the island, but, not everywhere can remain the same, development and growth is natural everywhere as the world gets smaller...

 

... and, as the world gets smaller it opens up greater access to further Islands such as Koh Kood and Koh Mak etc... which again, some people won't like... 

 

... then again, we'll always have the people who comment "Pattaya was a nice fishing village 50 years ago"..... or "Phi Phi was once a paradise until mass tourism"...   Their comments won't matter in the slightest in 30 years time...  everywhere grows and develops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Ben Zioner]

35 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Turning what can be 6 hour car journey unto a 4.5 hour car journey.

Doubt that with that stupid bridge you're gonna spend three hours a day in traffic jams and finding parking space. Those who know the island will understand.

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, Ben Zioner said:

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Turning what can be 6 hour car journey unto a 4.5 hour car journey.

Doubt that with that stupid bridge you're gonna spend three hours a day in traffic jams and finding parking space. Those who know the island will understand.

 

Best if you read the whole comment... 

 

2 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

although, there needs to be improvement in local infrastructure if the Island is to welcome more traffic as an express way onto 'narrow single lane roads' is going to cause gridlock on the Island, thus the main road infrastructure also needs major development.

 

[bkk6060]

Hope it's earthquake proof.

[Ben Zioner]

7 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

Best if you read the whole comment... 

 

 

Ok, let's build a motorway between Kae Bai and Bang Boa. Oh yes, also a giant brothel in Salak Phet. 

 

Modernise the ferry service, develop car parks on the mainland, and offer an EV rental service on the island, would be immensely more consistent with  the geography and the culture of the KC.

[KhunBENQ]

9 hours ago, blaze master said:

If it happens. Bye bye koh chang. 

Their greed is insatiable. Destroy and flood with mass tourism.

First a bridge to Ko Samui, welcome to one day package tourists, stinky buses clogging the roads.

And now that.

I also hope it will not be in my lifetime.

[KhunBENQ]

10 hours ago, MangoKorat said:

M6 still not open - 6 years late in September.

A prime example. Thousands of tons of concrete elevated road unused since years.

[richard_smith237]

1 hour ago, Ben Zioner said:

Ok, let's build a motorway between Kae Bai and Bang Boa. Oh yes, also a giant brothel in Salak Phet. 

 

Modernise the ferry service, develop car parks on the mainland, and offer an EV rental service on the island, would be immensely more consistent with  the geography and the culture of the KC.

That, I think is an excellent idea…

 

I completely agree… 

 

 

I’ve been to KC numerous times, but for longer trips - even this week we’re away elsewhere because we don’t fancy the unpredictably of long weekend traffic - Any measures to ‘ease’ the traffic & congestion on & getting to the island is always a positive.

 

 

 

 

[blaze master]

6 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Its a smart move and a natural process in the development of a country / area.

 

This effectively knocks an hour or more off the Journey from Bangkok to Koh Chang.

 

Turning what can be 6 hour car journey unto a 4.5 hour car journey.

 

The wait for the ferry at key periods - longs weekends etc is a key decision making factor for us (our family) in going to Koh Chang or not, we don't want to wait 1-2 hrs for the ferry - as it adds too much to the journey. 

 

I'm sure many others are making similar decisions - from an economics point of view this infrastructure development potentially provides a massive longe term economic boost the local economy of Koh Chang - although, there needs to be improvement in local infrastructure if the Island is to welcome more traffic as an express way onto 'narrow single lane roads' is going to cause gridlock on the Island, this the main road infrastructure also needs major development.

 

 

"Bye bye Koh-Chang" as one poster put it - This certainly would change the character of the island, but, not everywhere can remain the same, development and growth is natural everywhere as the world gets smaller...

 

... and, as the world gets smaller it opens up greater access to further Islands such as Koh Kood and Koh Mak etc... which again, some people won't like... 

 

... then again, we'll always have the people who comment "Pattaya was a nice fishing village 50 years ago"..... or "Phi Phi was once a paradise until mass tourism"...   Their comments won't matter in the slightest in 30 years time...  everywhere grows and develops.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shoot koh mak doesn't even have a 7. I'm sure the 5 families will control that island for a while yet. 

 

Koh chang will get very small after this. 

[MangoKorat]

12 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

m sure many others are making similar decisions - from an economics point of view this infrastructure development potentially provides a massive longe term economic boost the local economy of Koh Chang - although, there needs to be improvement in local infrastructure if the Island is to welcome more traffic as an express way onto 'narrow single lane roads' is going to cause gridlock on the Island, this the main road infrastructure also needs major development.

One of the main reasons many go to Koh Chang is because its not over-developed. If this happens, and I very much doubt it will, its at least 20 years away and it will wreck Koh Chang.

 

I've been many times and I can honestly say that I've never had more than a 30 miniute wait for a ferry - maybe I've been lucky but I do try to avoid busy periods - the hotels are cheaper too.  After a long drive down, to be honest, a rest is welcome. The ferry companies usually put extra boats on at peak times.

[MangoKorat]

9 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

A prime example. Thousands of tons of concrete elevated road unused since years.

Don't forget the lights that they left on on the elevated section near Lam Takhong for around 2 years.

 

Lasy week I used the open section between Pak Chong and the 201 exit - no lights 555

[cranki]

10 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

A prime example. Thousands of tons of concrete elevated road unused since years.

 

21 hours ago, MangoKorat said:

Unlikely in our lifetime. M6 still not open - 6 years late in September.

 I used a "partial" section of the M6 2 weeks ago, approx 100km, Korat to Pak Chong/Sikhio.....now just need to get it finished to bypass that <deleted>e traffic at Saraburi to Bang Pa-in !!!