Transport Phuket Plans Boat Taxi Service to Ease Traffic Congestion

[snoop1130]

File photo for reference only

 

PHUKET - Boat taxi services are set to connect key beaches and the airport by year's end, according to Surachai Burapanonthachai of the Marine Department. This pivotal new transport option aims to alleviate the island's notorious traffic congestion, particularly between the airport and the bustling downtown areas.

 

The first service is expected to launch within four months, linking western beaches like Patong, Kata, and Karon to the airport, with a journey time of approximately one hour. The initiative stems from January discussions led by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra with stakeholders aiming to improve island transit.

 

Plans are also in the works for a second route from the eastern coast in the following fiscal year, as the western route faces challenges from monsoon winds and rough waters. Potential eastern routes include connections from Yamu cape, Kaew island, Hin cape, and Por bay to the airport.

 

This innovative approach anticipates providing a swift and scenic alternative for residents and tourists alike, positioning Phuket as a leader in island connectivity while addressing urgent traffic concerns.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-02

 

 

[Will B Good]

The first five taxi boats have already been named and are about to go into service.....

 

 

Omertà 

Made 

Whack 

Clip 

Button man

 

[richard_smith237]

Costal boat taxi services have been dabbled with for decades - its never taken off... 

 

Who's going to use a boat from the Airport - only to be met at a pier by an 'uncontrollable' rabble of TukTuk drivers queuing to rip off arriving tourists and fighting with 'grab / bolt' drivers who are standing by for their fare ??

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

6 minutes ago, snoop1130 said:

The first service is expected to launch within four months, linking western beaches like Patong, Kata, and Karon to the airport, with a journey time of approximately one hour.

 

Rubbish...  there is no way a boat can transport a passenger 'door to door' from Kata to the Airport.

 

1) Get from Kata Accommodation to Ferry (with luggage)

2) Ferry Kata to Karon (pickup more passengers - including luggage)

3) Ferry from Karon to Patong (pickup more passengers - including luggage)

4) Ferry from Patong to Kamala (pickup more passengers - including luggage)

5) Ferry from Kamala Airport

6) Get from Airport Pier to Airport - bus ?? (dragging luggage)

 

Thats impossible in 1 hour....

 

Or...  even 

1) Get from Kata Accommodation to Ferry (with luggage)

2) Ferry from Kata to Airport 

3) Get from Airport Pier to Airport

 

Is impossible within an hour

 

 

Or... Taxi

1) Picked up by taxi at accommodation (with luggage)

2) Arrive directly at Airport 

 

From Kamala: 50 mins

From Patong: 1 hr 15 mins

From Karon: 1 hr 30mins

From Kata: 1 hr 20mins

From Rawai: 1 hrs 20mins

[newbee2022]

Expected accidents ahead😳

[lavender19]

In another thread they are discussing improving tourist safety again.

Then they talk about boat taxis. What could possibly go wrong

[hotchilli]

21 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Expected accidents ahead😳

Rudder failures?

[newbee2022]

9 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Rudder failures?

Yes, that's too.

Also, no petrol, no captain, no boat 

[pest]

No A/C i bet .....lovely comfort 

[sikishrory]

Good luck with that. The West side is open water with no protection from swells. Common over low season.

[topt]

7 minutes ago, sikishrory said:

Good luck with that. The West side is open water with no protection from swells. Common over low season.

They seem to be aware of that -

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Plans are also in the works for a second route from the eastern coast in the following fiscal year, as the western route faces challenges from monsoon winds and rough waters.

 

[Aussie999]

Didn't this fail to get off the ground some years back, so what has changed.

Reasons against, weather conditions, getting to the pier, getting from the pier, that usually 2 rip off taxi/tuk tuk plus the ferry...and then throw in waiting times

[wensiensheng]

Absolute madness. Are they living in an alternate reality? 

[hotchilli]

22 minutes ago, wensiensheng said:

Absolute madness. Are they living in an alternate reality? 

Alternate universe

[paul1804]

Remember where we are, just another crazy scheme not thought through!!  It may work on the eastern side but the logistics will always be a challenge, the western side is open sea so good luck with that!!! 

[LivingNThailand]

A total BS article.  They have floated this boat a couple of times and it will never work.   This must be click bait.

1.  Need piers at each destination.  Where, Why, How, What?

2.  Monsoon from about June to early November.   High winds, thunderstorms, flooding.  They lose tourists just swimming in the ocean on the West Coast during this time, can you imagine how many they would lose on the water taxis?
3.  The logistics don't make any sense.  Where would the pier be at the airport? total insanity.

 

I could go on, but whats the point.  It will never happen.   Just like the Choo Choo Train from the airport to Chalong Circle.  That's another rant....to be continued....

[LivingNThailand]

2 minutes ago, paul1804 said:

Remember where we are, just another crazy scheme not thought through!!  It may work on the eastern side but the logistics will always be a challenge, the western side is open sea so good luck with that!!!

Also the bridge to Samui.....🤣🤣🤣🤣

 

[Burma Bill]

 

 

Why not have the planes coming to the beaches??

 

 

 

[Funkymover]

yea and how do they charge,, 200 baht from the airport to the city,, 700 baht from the city to the airport 

[Jonathan Swift]

Taxi mafia again. Sounds lovely. 

[NoDisplayName]

10 hours ago, Funkymover said:

yea and how do they charge,, 200 baht from the airport to the city,, 700 baht from the city to the airport 

 

....with a short stop halfway across to renegotiate the fares.

[watchcat]

On 5/3/2025 at 2:46 AM, pest said:

No A/C i bet .....lovely comfort 

 Try Iceland on your next trip no A/C needed.