Koh Maphrao residents plead for bridge to Phuket

On the untouched shores of Koh Maphrao, an island nestled off the east coast of Phuket, a pressing issue has been echoing amongst its inhabitants. The island’s residents have made a formal plea to the Department of Rural Roads for the construction of a bridge to connect them with the bustling mainland of Phuket.

This idyllic haven has, so far, dodged the onslaught of commercial construction due to its lack of land-based accessibility.

The news of this request was brought to light by Phuket MP, Somchart Techathavorncharoen, who took to the internet to publicise the matter. His online post unveiled a formal letter addressed to the Phuket branch of the Department of Rural Roads, endorsing the islanders’ call for an assessment of the necessity and economic implications of building a bridge.

The letter, addressed to Mongkol Duchanee, the Director of Mukdahan Rural Highways District Office, sheds light on the hardships faced by Koh Maphrao’s residents. Despite the island being a mere 500 metres from Phuket at its nearest point, the lack of a stable and convenient mode of transportation has been a recurring grievance amongst the residents.

Somchart’s letter highlights the difficulties faced by the residents, particularly during low tide when boats are unable to access Laem Hin. He writes about the residents’ desire for the bridge to facilitate ease of movement and to aid in the island’s development as a tourist attraction.

The plea also calls upon the Ministry of Transport to consider budget allocation for the bridge project in the fiscal year 2024.

Phuket-Koh Maphrao Bridge Proposal

Responding to the request, Mongkol confirmed that the Department of Rural Roads will consider the project. According to a map provided by Somchart, the proposed bridge, linking Phuket with Koh Maphrao, would stretch to a length of 848 metres.

Mongkol acknowledged the potential benefits of the project for both the province of Phuket and the inhabitants of Koh Maphrao. However, he also noted the project’s scale, highlighting that its implementation would require a substantial budget. Therefore, he referred the matter to the Rural Roads Office No. 14 in Krabi for further contemplation, reported Phuket News.

The concept of a bridge to Koh Maphrao was first proposed back in 2017. However, it was met with concerns about potential environmental damage to the area’s mangroves and the impact increased accessibility could have on the island’s untouched nature by paving the way for construction companies.

As the matter resurfaces, these concerns remain pertinent, but only time will tell how the situation unfolds.