Phuket monorail plans speed up
Matt Pond


Officials planning the Phuket monorail project reportedly favour copying this example from Tokyo. Photo The Phuket News file photo

PHUKET: -- The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) is speeding up studies for Phuket’s monorail plan to increase convenience for tourists, which could also help boost the overall economy.

OTP deputy director Chaiwat Thongkhamkoon said the study into construction of a monorail project in Phuket is 80 per cent complete and will be ready by next month, Mr Chaiwat said.

The findings will be sent to the Transport Ministry for consideration by January.

The monorail will cost at least B20 billion and will link Phuket International Airport in Thalang district and Chalong intersections in Muang district, spanning 60km, Mr Chaiwat said.

The system’s 20 stations will include Thanun, Phuket International Airport, Thalang, Thepkrasattri and Srisoonthorn Heroines Monument.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-monorail-plans-speed-up-54779.php


-- Phuket News 2015-11-02

...The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) is speeding up studies for Phuket’s monorail plan to increase convenience for tourists...

The project is fatally-flawed from the start because it does not serve the west coast beaches at all, (presumably because the taxi mafia won't allow this).

Now if you want to travel from the airport to Villa Market in Chalong, or to the fresh market in Phuket Town, then it will be the ideal mode of transport

...The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) is speeding up studies for Phuket’s monorail plan to increase convenience for tourists...

The project is fatally-flawed from the start because it does not serve the west coast beaches at all, (presumably because the taxi mafia won't allow this).

Now if you want to travel from the airport to Villa Market in Chalong, or to the fresh market in Phuket Town, then it will be the ideal mode of transport

Have to think they would set some stations up where the taxi mafia types could hang out, no?

Heroines Monument for Laguna/Surin areas, Central Festival or intersection there where the big Lotus is for Patong and then onto Chalong.

Lets hope they do this, I really like the BKK airport link, it's just too bad they can't hook that one to Don Muang (off Phuket topic, sorry).

Monorail, I thought we were getting a tram!

Did I miss something?

A monorail would make a lot more sense.

...The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) is speeding up studies for Phukets monorail plan to increase convenience for tourists...

The project is fatally-flawed from the start because it does not serve the west coast beaches at all, (presumably because the taxi mafia won't allow this).

Now if you want to travel from the airport to Villa Market in Chalong, or to the fresh market in Phuket Town, then it will be the ideal mode of transport

A public transport system from the airport to the city is necessary and quite reasonable. Links to the high population areas in the south would be a great bonus.

Unfortunately it is difficult to bring this sort of transport over the steep hills to the tourist beaches. Perhaps a new system of public mini buses linking the stations with the beaches could be considered if the project ever happens.

(The General has promised that all the various mafia will be weeded out shortly!)

A good monorail which goes along all the phuket beaches would be perfect!

A normal public bus-service for the same routes would also work well and is much cheaper.

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The project is fatally-flawed from the start because it does not serve the west coast beaches at all, (presumably because the taxi mafia won't allow this).

I would think that the topography is more of a challenge to an airport to west coast route.

But if this company really wants to run at a profit then they must service the west coast beach towns.

That monorail idea looks really smart and practical. If it ever really happens it will transform public transport on Phuket Island.

And there is already a public bus service from airport to Patong, even now onto Kata (last time I looked) but the service schedule is a complete joke, too few buses in operation, badly advertised, etc.