Once more, the Phuket light rail project went off the rails

Once more, progress has come to a standstill on the Phuket light rail project, which was supposed to be built in the Thalang district. Because an expert evaluation is required, the minister of transportation in Thailand, Saksayam Chidchop, stated that the project will be delayed for an extra two years as a result of this necessity. In 2016, the Thai Cabinet gave its approval to the Thalang region of Phuket project and delegated monitoring responsibilities to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA). According to reports in the Thai media in 2019, the total cost of the project is expected to be approximately 42 billion baht, with the first phase of the project expected to cost approximately 35 billion baht. It was predicted that the entire plan and design would be finished within the same year, and the price range for tickets was going to be between 35 and 40 baht.

There will be a total of 21 stations spread out across 47.7 kilometers as part of the first phase of the project. This phase will connect Phuket International Airport to Chalong Intersection. In order to reach the Chatchai Checkpoint during the second phase of the mission, it will be necessary to travel an additional 16.2 kilometers. The opening of the first phase was supposed to take place in the year 2024; however, before the project could move further, a number of technical issues that were included in the concept and the design needed to be rectified. As a direct result of this, the Minister of Transport, Saksayam Chidchop, assigned a team the responsibility of conducting study to find the answers. The expenditure of 55.8 million Thai Baht would be required, as reported by the Daily News, in order to pay for the services of a new advisor for the project. There has been no report of an update regarding the beginning of the construction, which is disappointing.