Thai Transport Minister approves constructing Koh Samui – Khanom Bridge connecting the island with the mainland of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province
The Public Relations Department of Koh Samui is reporting that the Transport Minister, Saksayam Chidchop, has approved a project to construct the Koh Samui – Khanom Bridge connecting the island with the mainland of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province.
It was reported that Saksayam has given the green light for the Koh Samui – Khanom Bridge as one of five projects in which the Transport Ministry, Highways Department, Rural Roads Department, and Expressway Authority of Thailand will work together to study, plan, and design the bridge.
A budget for 25 billion THB will be spent on the Koh Samui – Khanom Bridge which will be 17 kilometres long, connecting Phangka Beach in the southwest of Koh Samui in Surat Thani to the Khanom district of Nakhon Si Thammarat.
The bridge aims to solve the big queuing problems at the ferry piers, with delays of up to five hours for a ferry from Koh Samui to Khanom district during the long weekends.
Additionally it was reported that some ferry companies have reduced their services from departures every hour to only six ferries available per day due to the decreasing number of tourists and rising fuel prices.
The Koh Samui – Khanom Bridge was the idea of Virach Pongchababnapa, a local hotel owner on Koh Samui. He created a 3D model and proposed it to the Transport Ministry.
Locals and officials agreed that the bridge would benefit both Koh Samui locals and tourists. The transportation between Koh Samui and Surat Thani will be more convenient and faster. One official added that the province and country could also earn more income by introducing a toll.
Source: https://royalcoastreview.com/2022/07/approval-reported-for-a-bridge-between-koh-samui-and-the-mainland/
