More than 18 international firms have expressed interest in bidding for two large-scale bridge construction projects in southern Thailand, with procurement proceedings now underway. The Department of Rural Roads (DRR) is overseeing the developments, which are aimed at improving transport connectivity and reducing travel times in key regional areas.
On 2 July 2025, DRR Director-General Montri Dechasakulsom chaired a pre-bid meeting for the Songkhla Lake crossing project, which carries an estimated cost of 4.7 billion baht. The session was held to provide technical clarifications and respond to queries from bidders who have already purchased international tender documents. Technical and financial proposals for this project are due by 15 August 2025.
A similar pre-bid session was held on 18 June for the second project—a bridge connecting Koh Klang and Koh Lanta Noi in Krabi Province. Valued at 1.85 billion baht, the proposal submission deadline for this project is 30 July 2025.
Both tenders follow international competitive bidding standards set by the World Bank. Evaluation will be based on a 100-point system, with technical and financial components weighted equally at 50 percent each. Only bidders scoring at least 60 percent on technical criteria will be considered for final selection. Contractors are expected to be announced by September, ahead of the 2025 fiscal year, with construction scheduled to take 1,080 days—approximately 36 months. Project completion is anticipated in 2028.
Financing for both projects will rely on loans from the World Bank, which will cover 70 percent of construction costs, or roughly 4.55 billion baht. The remaining 30 percent will come from the Thai government’s budget.
The Songkhla Lake bridge will span seven kilometers and feature two lanes of traffic. Inspired by traditional Manohra (Nora) cultural motifs, the design aims to blend infrastructure with local heritage. Once completed, it will reduce travel between Krasaesin District in Songkhla and Khao Chaison District in Phatthalung from 80 kilometers and two hours to just seven kilometers and about 15 minutes.
The Koh Lanta bridge, also two lanes wide, will stretch 1.8 kilometers and provide all-day road access to the island, eliminating the need for ferry services. Travel time across the route is expected to be just 10 minutes.
Cabinet approval for both projects was granted on 18 October 2022, with a combined total budget of 6.5 billion baht.
