Skip to main content

Thailand highway development programme

Thailand has set out plans for an ambitious highway development programme.
By MJ Woof July 15, 2020 Read time: 1 min
Thailand’s holiday destination of Phuket will be one part of the country to benefit from a new highway link - image © courtesy of Sarah Biswell

Thailand is setting out plans for an ambitious highway and road development programme. The programme will help improve transport links with the country’s neighbours, with eight new highways being planned.

The Ministry of Transport of Thailand is working on the transport network development programme. In all, the eight new highways will total close to 5,000km.

The longest route will be a 1,660km highway running between Songkhla and Chiang Rai, whie Nong Khai and Laem Chabang will be connected by a 490km highway, and Surin and Bung Kan will be joined by a 470km highway.

An 880km highway will connect Ubon, Ratchathani and Tak, while a 710km highway will link Tak with Nakhon Phanom. A 310km highway will link Sa Kaeo with Kanchanaburi, while a 220km highway will connect Kanchanaburi and Trat. In addition, a 190km highway will run between Surat Thani and Phuket.

Construction of the first sections of the highways should commence in 2022 or 2023. The highways will likely be built under the PPP model. New towns will be developed along these highway routes also.

Related Content

  • Smart highways planned for South Korea
    September 2, 2016
    A new transport plan is envisaged for South Korea that involves the construction of a smart highway network. The aim of the programme is to optimise transport efficiency and capacity, with charging facilities for electric vehicles also included in the plans. South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport intends to add a further 1,000km of highways to the country’s overall network. Once the new highways are open to traffic South Korea will have a total highway network in excess of 5,100km.
  • US$9bn needed for Greater Mekong Subregion roads and other development
    January 23, 2013
    A further US$ 9 billion is required to complete the development of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), according to the National Economic and Social Development Board of Thailand. The new investment will cover development of roads, special economic zones, border towns, ports and facilities at important checkpoints in the GMS’s six states of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Yunnan Province of China. The North-South Economic Corridor's transport network will, it’s reported, be confirmed onc
  • Argentina Government developing transport plan
    March 14, 2017
    Argentina’s Government is setting out plans to invest US$3 billion in developing the country’s transport infrastructure. The plans are being drawn up by the country’s Ministry of Transport and call for Argentina’s multi-lane highway network to be doubled in total length from its present 2,800km. The construction work will be managed by Argentina’s Government in a bid to push forward the programme. Poor road links in Argentina have been recognised as causing delayed journeys and increased transport costs. Up
  • Vietnam’s massive road expansion plans
    March 13, 2024
    Vietnam has massive road expansion plans, with 19 transport projects in the frame.