Light-rail system planned for Phuket

[Thaivisa News]

Phuket:- Phuket is going to have the light-rail system, which will materialize under the budget of about Bt23billion.

In the first phase, the light-rail route in this tourist town will run for a stretch of 60 kilometers from the Phuket International Airport to the Chalong Intersection.

“This route has already won the green light,” Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong said.

On Wednesday, he called a meeting with relevant agencies to push for one more light-rail route too. This proposed stretch is between Patong and Phuket town, covering about 18.4 kilometers in distance.

“We believe investments in these two routes will be well worth,” the governor said.

He said the light-rail development project was one of the six projects that local authorities had presented to Deputy Prime Minister MR Pridiyathorn Dhevakul during the latter’s work trip to Phuket.

Dubbed the Pearl of Andaman, Phuket has been a tourist town. Millions of people have come to this southern province for holidays each year.

As its tourism and economy expands, Phuket begins to experience traffic woes.

Relevant authorities have now conducted studies to prepare various traffic solutions to Phuket. In addition to plans to construct underpasses and U-turn bridges, they have now come up with the plan to introduce the light-rail system too.

“The light-rail system should in the end cover both Phuket town and key attractions in the province,” Nisit said.

Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning has conducted the feasibility study on seven possible light-rail routes for Phuket.

“Of these routes, the Airport – Chalong Intersection route is the most cost-effective,” an official from the office says.

[lovetotravel]

It would help encourage me to go back for a holiday. One reason I don't go anymore is because of the transport ripoffs. Same could be said for Samui.

Best of luck in getting this all sorted out!

[Naam]

when pigs will fly...

[jerojero]

Light rail, high-speed, new Highways, electric buses.... What about investing in better children's education, so in a decade or so the educated population can truly move the country forward! Spending billions on things, and nothing on the future of its young citizens. Stupid old farts in charge sabotaging the country's future.

[Old Croc]

Light rail, high-speed, new Highways, electric buses.... What about investing in better children's education, so in a decade or so the educated population can truly move the country forward! Spending billions on things, and nothing on the future of its young citizens. Stupid old farts in charge sabotaging the country's future.

So scrap all infrastructure and spend all public money on education?

[lovetotravel]

Light rail, high-speed, new Highways, electric buses.... What about investing in better children's education, so in a decade or so the educated population can truly move the country forward! Spending billions on things, and nothing on the future of its young citizens. Stupid old farts in charge sabotaging the country's future.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695289-thailands-educational-spending-highest-in-the-world/

BANGKOK, Jan 9 – Thailand’s spending on education, representing 4 per cent of gross domestic product or 20 per cent of the national budget, is the highest in the world, according to research findings by Mahidol University.

[hansgruber]

Another year and the topic raises it's head again. Every train station will become a filthy taxi rank.

[hansgruber]

Light rail, high-speed, new Highways, electric buses.... What about investing in better children's education, so in a decade or so the educated population can truly move the country forward! Spending billions on things, and nothing on the future of its young citizens. Stupid old farts in charge sabotaging the country's future.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695289-thailands-educational-spending-highest-in-the-world/

BANGKOK, Jan 9 – Thailand’s spending on education, representing 4 per cent of gross domestic product or 20 per cent of the national budget, is the highest in the world, according to research findings by Mahidol University.

Like every Thai agency or department, the budgets are inflated and withered away due to corruption. No need of the money is spent in key areas, just on a project that can be skimmed.

[Farang99]

Light rail, high-speed, new Highways, electric buses.... What about investing in better children's education, so in a decade or so the educated population can truly move the country forward! Spending billions on things, and nothing on the future of its young citizens. Stupid old farts in charge sabotaging the country's future.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/695289-thailands-educational-spending-highest-in-the-world/

BANGKOK, Jan 9 – Thailand’s spending on education, representing 4 per cent of gross domestic product or 20 per cent of the national budget, is the highest in the world, according to research findings by Mahidol University.

How much you spend does not reflect the quality of what you buy.

[Ulic]

Slowly unclasping the talon like grip of the Phuket taxi mafia. Not sure how long this will take

to build and go into service but it is good news for knowledgeable tourist that will avail

themselves of this service.

[robertthebruce]

Great idea, the sooner the better, anything to get out of ''Driving here''...

Dangerous to say the least....

[nabbie]

Bt23billion looks very expensive for just local trains.

Will it be more wiser if these monies should be spent on children's education, cyclist routes and create pedestrian areas instead? I am sure it will benefit both the residents/non-residents in whole Phuket.

Edited May 7, 2015 by nabbie

[steelepulse]

Bt23billion looks very expensive for just local trains.

Divide the budget by 2-3 and that will be close to the actual cost. I don't think Phuket can beat the Russians in Sochi though where for a small stretch of road the cost was something around 20 billion USD.

[NamKangMan]

It would help encourage me to go back for a holiday. One reason I don't go anymore is because of the transport ripoffs. Same could be said for Samui.

Best of luck in getting this all sorted out!

I am sure you are not alone.

It's most likely the main reason Phuket has lost a big slice of the western tourist market.

[siam2007]

Light rail, high-speed, new Highways, electric buses.... What about investing in better children's education, so in a decade or so the educated population can truly move the country forward! Spending billions on things, and nothing on the future of its young citizens. Stupid old farts in charge sabotaging the country's future.

investing in Children's education does not allow local politicians to get their cut..... and that's what it's (usually) all about in such cases

[madmitch]

If all these proposed traffic reduction projects come to fruition, the island will be at a virtual standstill for the next three years or so, which will probably drive half the expats and tourists away. This of course will reduce the amount of traffic, thereby enabling the Phuket authorities to declare the projects a great success upon completion.

If there was any forethought in this country, a light railway system would have been built ten years ago.

[SoFarAndNear]

Haha...a light rail line between phuket town and patong. And the train will just drive up the patong hill yes?

[Lokie]

As said, will never happen... same as a proper airport bus service, taxi association will never allow it

[chainarong]

It is the first time that I have seen some sense being exhibited in Thailand's transport HUB, this is exactly what is needed in BKK, not the concrete monuments to some one's share holding in a concrete company, light rail is the most economical position on this type of transport , unfortunately it is excepted in some cities and not so well received in others throughout the world, , another problem is the disrespect Thai people driving motor vehicles have for each other and any moving object, so safety barriers would need to be erected all along the route.

[piewarmer]

Light rail would be nice in Chiang Mai as well

[MiKT]

Great idea, the sooner the better, anything to get out of ''Driving here''...

Dangerous to say the least....

Oh this is so much bullshite, without the decent public transportation infrastructure that has bèen missing for so long in Thailand, the kids won't need any education, they will just be fing about around growing rice. So many young farts without a hapence of brain between em. Bugger should have attached to Siam 2000000 post. Sorry the Bruce. Edited May 25, 2015 by MiKT

[MiKT]

Great idea, the sooner the better, anything to get out of ''Driving here''...

Dangerous to say the least....

Oh this is so much bullshite, without the decent public transportation infrastructure that has bèen missing for so long in Thailand, the kids won't need any education, they will just be fing about around growing rice. So many young farts without a hapence of brain between em. Bugger should have attached to Siam 2000000 post. Sorry the Bruce.

I can't do this by phone (old fartitis) it should be attached to the post by JeroJero, apologies to all.

[Felt 35]

Bt23billion looks very expensive for just local trains.

Will it be more wiser if these monies should be spent on children's education, cyclist routes and create pedestrian areas instead? I am sure it will benefit both the residents/non-residents in whole Phuket.

Yes but "in there" its much less to be made backhand and in their mind no status to gain.

[Old Croc]

Bt23billion looks very expensive for just local trains.

Will it be more wiser if these monies should be spent on children's education, cyclist routes and create pedestrian areas instead? I am sure it will benefit both the residents/non-residents in whole Phuket.

You're right.

They could then change the name of the Island to Copenhagen or Fantasy Land or similar.

[Felt 35]

Light rail, high-speed, new Highways, electric buses.... What about investing in better children's education, so in a decade or so the educated population can truly move the country forward! Spending billions on things, and nothing on the future of its young citizens. Stupid old farts in charge sabotaging the country's future.

So scrap all infrastructure and spend all public money on education?

Seems a bit education before leaping on the infrastructure train could be of good help in Phuket!

[Felt 35]

Bt23billion looks very expensive for just local trains.

Will it be more wiser if these monies should be spent on children's education, cyclist routes and create pedestrian areas instead? I am sure it will benefit both the residents/non-residents in whole Phuket.

You're right.

They could then change the name of the Island to Copenhagen or Fantasy Land or similar.

For some cycling routes and pedestrian areas will of course just be a fantasy dream but for a few millions with the intentions that good should be common and with democratic rights for everyone, its the norm to be consulted by their Governments about their future plans and use of resources, transport and infrastructure, and yes how they spend their hard earned tax money. Merit making shows or charity don't count.

Edited May 27, 2015 by Felt 35

[coulson]

Light rail, high-speed, new Highways, electric buses.... What about investing in better children's education, so in a decade or so the educated population can truly move the country forward! Spending billions on things, and nothing on the future of its young citizens. Stupid old farts in charge sabotaging the country's future.

Ministry for Education & Transport have their own respective budgets. I would never discourage any part of Thailand to improve its infrastructure, which puts money back in the kitty.

I was shocked to see Phuket's new Terminal coming along recently, so I would expect this might actually happen also within a reasonable, thai timeframe.

[coulson]

Haha...a light rail line between phuket town and patong. And the train will just drive up the patong hill yes?

Through the mountain would be easier, provided the clowns who did the By pass tunnel aren't involved and they put some proper drains in this time