Skip to main content

Thailand bridge project proposed

A major bridge project is being proposed for Thailand.
By MJ Woof February 20, 2020 Read time: 1 min
A new bridge in southern Thailand is proposed to link Koh Samui Island to the mainland, replacing the ferry service – image © courtesy of Phittavas, Dreamstime.com

A proposal for a major bridge project has been put forward in southern Thailand. The suggestion is for a bridge measuring some 18km to connect Koh Samui Island with the mainland. The bridge would help improve transport in the area, which is popular with tourists. At present visitors to Koh Samui Island have to use the ferry service. This is a key factor given the massive importance of tourism for Thailand’s economy.

The proposed bridge would be a cable stayed design featuring two lanes in either direction. Constructing the link would cost in the region of US$1.37 billion according to estimates, so sourcing the necessary financing will prove a challenge however.

 

Related Content

  • We can be Heroes
    January 11, 2023
    Paraguay’s Puente Héroes del Chaco will provide a vital transport link for the country once it is complete, Mauro Nogarin and Mike Woof report
  • Highly relevant: Denmark’s asset management for bridges
    July 12, 2019
    A well-maintained road bridge network is vital to Denmark’s economy. David Arminas caught up with Niels Pedersen, head of bridges at the Danish Road Directorate Denmark, being a country mainly of islands, relies on its bridges and tunnels to help unify the nation culturally. It also means that they are vastly more important to the economic well-being of the nation than in most other states. The World Bank has classified Denmark as a high-income economy. In 2017 it ranked 16th globally in terms of gros
  • Major new highway project for Malaysia
    October 16, 2012
    A new highway project being proposed for Malaysia will improve connectivity for the country’s Kuantan and Johor Baru regions. This new route will initially measure 350km but could then be extended to connect with neighbouring Thailand and become the main East Coast highway. The project has been put forward by the Pahang Federation of Chinese Associations (Huazong). Construction of this link could provide major economic benefits to the Kuantan and Johor Baru regions and in the long term would help promote tr
  • Vietnam’s North-South highway plan
    October 19, 2016
    A new highway is being planned for Vietnam that will run from north-south and feature four traffic lanes, with two in either direction. The project has been put forward to the Vietnam Government by the country’s Ministry of Transport (MOT). The route of the highway has still to be revealed but the link would improve travel connections between capital Hanoi in the north of the country and Ho Chi Minh City in the south. Running for some 1,372km in all, the highway has an estimated cost of US$10.25 billion to