New Na Klang-Ao Jik road links Phuket and Phang Nga, boosting tourism

The newly completed Na Klang-Ao Jik road, which connects Phuket and Phang Nga, is set to provide a boost to local tourism and cross-provincial transport. The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) has invested approximately 282.8 million baht (US$8.5 million) in the 4.2-kilometre road, which is part of a city expansion project in Phang Nga’s Thai Muang district.

The concrete road features four driving lanes, each 3.5 metres wide, with a 2.5-metre wide hard shoulder on both sides. It is also equipped with a drainage system, lamp posts, and traffic signs. The footpaths are designed to be 3.5 metres wide. DRR director-general Apirat Chaiwongnoi stated that the Na Klang-Ao Jik road is a new route connecting Phang Nga to Phuket, but no details were available on how much traffic it is likely to accommodate.

The Na Klang-Ao Jik road is expected to be used by tourists who fly to Phuket to visit Phang Nga’s tourist destinations, such as Na Tai Beach and Khao Pilai Beach. Chaiwongnoi said that completing the Na Klang-Ao Jik road would benefit the local economy, cross-province transport, and tourism.

According to the Phang Nga Tourism Association, more visitors travelled to Phang Nga last year, up 41.65% from the previous year. The total number of tourists last year was 546,475, and the tourism industry generated around 2.7 billion baht for the province, reported Bangkok Post.

During the first four months of this year, Chumphon welcomed 499,047 visitors, up 60.68% from the same period last year, according to the Tourism and Sports Ministry. The tourism industry generated about US$36 million, up about 20% from the same period of last year to the southern province from January to April.

In a recent accomplishment, the successful completion of Highway 12 aims to successfully link Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos to boost economic ties and enhance cross-border activities. The completion of this highway is said to catalyze logistics, trade, and tourism, thereby, providing a significant boost to the economy. To know more, read HERE.