Thailand Riviera tourist road to improve access to Hua Hin
A major section of the Thailand Riviera tourist road project is set to improve road connectivity to Hua Hin, after the Department of Rural Roads allocated funding to build more than 44 kilometres of new route linking the town with surrounding districts.
The development forms part of the Tanowsri Khiri Phat tourist road initiative, a long-term infrastructure project designed to strengthen travel along the western coastline of the Gulf of Thailand and provide an alternative to the often congested Phetkasem Road.
Officials said the Hua Hin section, which runs for 44.52 kilometres from the Chai Phatthana Road intersection linking Highway 3218 to Highway 4, will improve access between Hua Hin and Pranburi while supporting tourism-related travel across Prachuap Khiri Khan province.
Construction of the section began in July 2025 and is scheduled for completion in December 2027. The project is being carried out by Phrae Engineering Co., Ltd. under a budget of nearly 700 million baht, with a construction period of 900 days.
Once completed, the route is expected to help ease traffic congestion on Highway 4, particularly during peak travel periods and public holidays when large numbers of visitors travel to Hua Hin and nearby coastal destinations.
The new road will be built as a two-lane asphalt concrete route, with each lane measuring 3.5 metres in width. Supporting infrastructure including street lighting, traffic signage and safety features will also be installed as part of the project.
Part of wider coastal tourism route
The Hua Hin section is one of two priority construction segments currently being developed under the Tanowsri Khiri Phat tourist road project, which has a combined budget allocation of around 1.4 billion baht and covers more than 81 kilometres.
The second segment under construction is located in Phetchaburi province, covering 37.24 kilometres between Ban Khao Bandai and Ban Nam Phu Ron in Nong Ya Plong and Khao Yoi districts.
In total, the Tanowsri Khiri Phat tourist road has been divided into 10 sections. The full route is planned to extend for around 350 kilometres from Khao Yoi district in Phetchaburi to Pranburi district, linking inland and coastal tourism areas under the broader Thailand Riviera initiative.
Authorities said the project is intended to improve travel convenience and safety while supporting tourism-driven economic activity in key destinations along the Gulf coast.
Utility relocation works underway in Hua Hin
Local authorities in Hua Hin are continuing to coordinate preparations to support construction progress. On 18 March, municipal officials attended a project meeting in Thap Tai to monitor the relocation of public utility systems along the planned corridor.
The meeting reviewed work plans and timelines for moving infrastructure that may obstruct construction, with officials aiming to ensure that the relocation process remains aligned with the overall project schedule.
Further funding proposals for the remaining eight sections of the tourism road are expected to be submitted from the 2027 fiscal year onwards as the wider coastal route continues to take shape.
