Transport Ministry revives Thailand Riviera coastal road plan
The Thailand Riviera coastal road project is set to move forward again, with the Ministry of Transport seeking budget approval for fiscal year 2027 to study and design an extension from Chumphon to Songkhla.
The route, which already passes through parts of Prachuap Khiri Khan, is familiar to many in Hua Hin through the coastal cycle route that starts in Khao Takiab and continues south towards Pak Nam Pran, Sam Roi Yot and beyond.
The proposed study would cover the next section of the southern coastal route through Chumphon, Surat Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Songkhla.
According to reports, the Department of Rural Roads has requested 18 million baht for a feasibility study and conceptual design for the Chumphon-Surat Thani-Nakhon Si Thammarat-Songkhla section. A further 21 million baht has been requested for survey and design work on the Sichon-Tha Sala section in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
What the Thailand Riviera extension covers
The Thailand Riviera project was first approved in principle by the Cabinet on 7 February 2006 during the government of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. It was originally proposed as a tourism development project for the upper southern coast, covering Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chumphon and Ranong.
Work on the project has progressed gradually over the years. The Department of Rural Roads began construction and improvement work from fiscal year 2009, with the first phase now completed from Samut Sakhon through Phetchaburi, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon, covering 515 kilometres.
The full Gulf of Thailand route is planned to cover 950 kilometres across four phases, running from Samut Prakan to Narathiwat. Phase 2 would cover Chumphon to Songkhla, Phase 3 would continue from Songkhla to Pattani and Narathiwat, while Phase 4 would cover Samut Prakan, Samut Sakhon and Samut Songkhram.
The project is intended to support coastal tourism, improve local transport links and provide more scenic travel routes along the Gulf coast.
There is also a separate Thailand Riviera route planned for the Andaman coast, covering Ranong, Phang Nga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun. That route, which would cover just over 600 kilometres, remains under preliminary feasibility study.
