New Infrastructure Upgrades On The Way

Way back in 1967 a bridge was built to connect Phuket to the mainland, replacing the old ferry service. The bridge was named after a Thai Chinese politician, Khun Sarasin and is now a popular attraction, particularly with young couples. Since then two more bridges have been added.

These bridges now adequately serve the traffic passing over. Although bridges to the mainland are not needed there nowadays there are two major bypasses under construction in central Phuket at Central Festival and Tesco Lotus crossroads.

Today the local government is planning more bypasses to make getting around Phuket by car even easier. They are proposing another bypass beginning close to the Heroines Monument in Thalang. This will connect to Kathu, not far from the British international school and will carry on through to Loch Palm.

According to a poll conducted by a local foreign language newspaper the most important issue for Thai people living in Phuket is getting about the island quickly by car. Certainly when it comes to enhancing the road network in Phuket this should be high on the agenda for the local government. Nowadays Patong and Kathu neighbourhoods are almost overlapping so adding more roads to supply these areas would certainly make sense.

A different category of infrastructure – schooling, is in the process of being upgraded. Phuket International Academy is developing a new boarding unit that will be providing double and single room apartments to meet new demand. Demand for places at the British International School is also rising and they already have a good size boarding and accommodation facility. 

The quality and reputation of these schools has helped Phuket to become an educational hub both for Thai and overseas students. The presence of good quality schools helps to attract buyers looking at the luxury end of the property market. The value of property in Phuket as well as the students and parents has been enhanced thanks to the presence of these fine schools.