Thailand signs contracts for two major southern bridge projects
Thailand has signed contracts for the Songkhla Lake and Koh Lanta bridges, with both projects scheduled for completion and opening in 2029.
- Construction contracts have been signed for two major bridge projects in southern Thailand: one across Songkhla Lake and another connecting Koh Lanta to the mainland.
- The Songkhla Lake bridge will link Songkhla and Phatthalung provinces, aiming to reduce a journey of around two hours to approximately 15 minutes.
- The second bridge will provide a permanent road link to Koh Lanta in Krabi, replacing a ferry service and cutting crossing times from several hours to about two minutes.
- Both infrastructure projects are part of a wider government plan to improve the southern transport network and are scheduled for completion in 2029.
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul witnessed the signing of construction contracts on Monday (August 31) for two major bridge projects in southern Thailand, with both targeted to open in 2029.
The projects comprise a bridge across Songkhla Lake, linking Krasae Sin district in Songkhla with Khao Chaison district in Phatthalung, and a bridge connecting Koh Lanta in Krabi with the mainland.
The contracts were signed by Phichit Hunsiri, director-general of the Department of Rural Roads, representatives of the CMC Joint Venture, and representatives of Malaysian company CHEC Construction (M) Sdn Bhd.
Anutin described the projects as long-awaited developments for communities in Songkhla, Phatthalung and Krabi, where residents have sought better transport connections for years.
“Since I began overseeing the Transport Ministry as deputy prime minister, one question I have consistently heard from people in the South is when bridges would be built to connect communities and improve their quality of life,” he said.
He added that better infrastructure would make travel more convenient, reduce living and transport costs, shorten journey times and create new economic opportunities.
The Songkhla Lake bridge is expected to significantly improve travel between Songkhla and Phatthalung. Anutin estimated that journeys that currently take about two hours could be cut to around 15–30 minutes, reducing travel costs and improving economic access for residents in both provinces.
The Koh Lanta bridge, meanwhile, is intended to improve connections between Koh Lanta Noi, Koh Lanta Yai and the mainland, reducing dependence on water transport while making passenger travel, freight movements, access to healthcare and emergency patient transfers faster and more reliable.
Closing missing links across southern Thailand
Anutin described the two projects as part of the government’s effort to close “missing links” in Thailand’s transport network rather than simply building bridges between individual locations.
The aim is to create more continuous north-south, east-west and diagonal transport connections, allowing southern routes to operate as a more integrated network.
Improved links could strengthen travel and freight connections from Songkhla and Hat Yai towards the Andaman provinces of Phang Nga, Krabi and Ranong, supporting wider regional transport and economic activity.
Anutin also highlighted Thailand’s geographical position as an advantage for regional travel and trade within ASEAN. The new bridges could help connect tourism routes between the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman coast while increasing the tourism potential of communities around Songkhla Lake and Koh Lanta.
He stressed that both projects must be completed on schedule without leaving communities to bear unnecessary disruption from construction or development. Officials and contractors were instructed to maintain construction standards, carry out the work carefully and keep the projects on schedule.
Songkhla Lake bridge to cut journey times
Phichit Hunsiri, director-general of the Department of Rural Roads, explained that the Songkhla Lake bridge would complete an important transport link between Phatthalung and Songkhla.
According to the department, the project could shorten the existing route by about 80 kilometres and reduce the journey time from around two hours to approximately 10 minutes.
The bridge will have two traffic lanes, each four metres wide, with 2.5-metre shoulders on either side. Its main section will be a cable-stayed bridge. The longest span will measure 140 metres, and the structure will be designed to meet the Marine Department’s navigation-clearance requirements.
Connecting sections will use prestressed concrete box-girder structures with spans of about 40 metres.
The entire project will cover approximately seven kilometres and has a construction budget of 4.60 billion baht.
Design elements inspired by local Nora art will be incorporated into the main bridge structure and railings, with the aim of creating a distinctive landmark that reflects local identity and supports tourism.
Environmental protection is also a key part of the project. The Department of Rural Roads and the World Bank are giving particular attention to protecting the environment around Songkhla Lake, including the conservation of Irrawaddy dolphins and restoration of the lake environment.
The department is working with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation to develop construction approaches that balance infrastructure development with natural resource conservation.
It is also coordinating with the Department of Fisheries on measures to support coastal aquaculture and restore fisheries resources, helping the project remain compatible with local livelihoods and sustainable community development.
Koh Lanta bridge to replace lengthy ferry waits
The Koh Lanta bridge will also have two traffic lanes, with an overall structural width of 13.5 metres. Its main structure will be a cable-stayed bridge with a maximum span of 200 metres. Secondary sections will use prestressed concrete box girders constructed by the balanced cantilever method.
The project will extend for 2.240 kilometres and has a construction budget of 1.78 billion baht.
At present, residents and tourists travelling to Koh Lanta must take a vehicle ferry to Koh Lanta Noi before crossing the Siri Lanta Bridge to Koh Lanta Yai.
Limited ferry capacity can result in waits of up to two or three hours, particularly during holidays and peak travel periods. Once the new bridge is completed, the crossing is expected to take about two minutes.
The permanent road connection will also allow emergency patients to be transferred more quickly to hospitals in Krabi, improve the management and movement of limited resources on the islands and provide an additional evacuation route during disasters.
The project is also expected to improve access for commerce and industry, support tourism and raise overall travel safety for residents and visitors.
