Thailand's Transport Ministry advances 365-km extension of southern coastal highway

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Thailand's Transport Ministry is pushing forward with the extension of the country's southern coastal highway, planning to add 365 kilometers to the existing coastal road. A study report on the project is scheduled to be submitted to the ministry in 2027.

This highway, also known as the Southern Coastal Highway, was initially approved in 2006. To date, 515 kilometers have been completed at a cost of $978 million, connecting Phetchaburi Province and Chumphon Province. The existing section is maintained by the Department of Rural Roads, but no further extensions had been carried out previously.

Under the new plan, the project is proposed to be constructed in three phases, with lengths of 150 kilometers, 200 kilometers, and 85 kilometers respectively. The extension will continue southward from the current endpoint in Chumphon Province, successively linking Surat Thani Province, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province, and finally reaching Songkhla Province. Once fully completed, the total length of Thailand's coastal highway will reach 880 kilometers, stretching from Phetchaburi Province to Songkhla Province in the south.

The completion of this highway is expected to boost tourism development in southern Thailand, bringing significant benefits to the Thai economy. Currently, the Transport Ministry is evaluating the specific construction costs for the remaining 365-kilometer section.