Phuket's traffic nightmare is getting an AI fix

Under a two-phase upgrade plan unveiled this week, AI-powered traffic lights will be installed at key intersections to automatically adjust signal timings based on real-time conditions, easing congestion and improving road efficiency, Thaiger reported.

The initiative was announced during a high-level meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall chaired by Governor Saransak Srikruanetra, who said the project marks a major step toward transforming Phuket into a "smart city and world-class tourism hub."

In the first phase, existing traffic lights will be upgraded with smart sensors and software to monitor vehicle flow and respond dynamically. The second phase will see the rollout of digital warning signs, real-time traffic updates and a centralized control center linking Phuket's key roads, Phuket News reported.

The system is expected to go live ahead of the tourist surge later this month, when Phuket anticipates handling up to 56,000 daily passengers and 380 flights.

Other transport updates include the construction of a 1.95-kilometer road connecting Baan Muang Mai to Phuket Airport (targeted for completion in 2028), a 4.55-kilometer expansion of Route 4027 (set for 2026), and ongoing work on the long-awaited Patong Tunnel and Phuket Expressway.

Phuket's maritime and air transport sectors are also seeing parallel upgrades. Port expansions are underway to strengthen the island's logistics role, while Phuket International Airport is expanding its terminals and road network to handle 18 million passengers annually. A new Paris–Phuket direct route will begin operating on Nov. 28.

Governor Saransak emphasized that solving Phuket's traffic woes "requires cooperation from all sectors — government, private, and public," adding that the ultimate goal is a transport system that is "smarter, safer, and more efficient."