Yes, you read that right! No one can be sure yet whether it will actually happen or not, or just how much congestion it will actually help remove from the roads, but a curious new announcement from a senior official at the Marine Department on Friday, 2 May, definitely caught our eye.
The planning office has announced the launch of a commuting boat service ‘within 4 months’ ie, by August 2025. At this stage, the proposed ferry service would run from Phuket International Airport, which sits in the northwest of the island, to purpose-built piers on the west coast at Patong, Karon, and Kata, taking approximately 1 hour.
The service may be extended to eastern coast ports in 2026 (which would assist with onward connections to southern islands in Thailand).
Many questions remain unanswered, not least whether the boats can still work in the rough seas experienced in the wet season, how many passengers they can take, and the frequency of services. We can agree that anything that reduces congestion on the main highway through the island will be a welcome addition—the journey to Kata Beach, for example, can take upward of 2 hours on a bad day.
We can’t provide further details on timing, cost, or launch date at this stage, but we’re certainly looking for press releases on this topic and hope to bring some good news soon!
In the meantime, pop over to our transport guides to learn more about the best ways to presently get around the island of Phuket. And don’t forget to read the latest developments on the TDAC required for all international travellers to Thailand from 1 May 2025.
NB – boat photo given here is just an example at this stage of what the ferry/taxi service could look like! Credit Alex.S. Depositphotos
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