Billion baht expansion of the Phuket deep sea port

The one billion baht First Phase expansion at Phuket’s deep sea port will be done within 18 months.

Yesterday (June 5) a meeting was held at the Cape Panwa Hotel led by the manager of Phuket Deep Sea Port Company Limited, Wanlop Pongluengtham.

Mr Wanlop says, “The company has received a 30 years concession starting from May 1 this year from the Thai Treasury Department to manage the Phuket Deep Sea Port. The area covers 106 rai plot of land. We have planned to develop in four phases.”

“The first phase will have to be under a Term of Reference (TOR) contract which is to build a 900 square metre passenger terminal with landscaping and infrastructure renovation including port expansion to support cruise ships.”

“Before, Phuket Deep Sea Port was built just for freight transportation, but that is happening less with all the flights coming into the island these days. On the other hand, tourism continues to grow. More cruises are coming to the port now. We have planned to expand the terminal from 360 metres to 420 metres. The port will be able to support two cruise ships at the same time.

“The expansion is expected to be done within 18 months. The first phase will cost one billion baht. In five years from now it is expected that there will be no more freight coming through the Phuket Deep Sea Port.”

“Phase Two will be developing more facilities such as restaurants, duty free shops and souvenir shops. Phase Three will include the development of a convention hall or exhibition hall. Phase Four will require the acquisition of land from the rivate sector to be developed as luxury hotels.”

“In the next two years the Marine Department will dredge the main channel from 8 to 12 metres in depth which will allow the port to be accessible to larger ships.”