Caretaker Deputy Minister of Transport Manaporn Charoensri of Thailand has announced that a new cruise terminal in Koh Samui will open in 2032 as part of efforts to boost tourism in Surat Thani Province.

During a recent visit to Koh Samui with Caretaker Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the deputy minister reviewed the progress of major transport infrastructure projects to strengthen the region's tourism sector.

The Marine Department has completed a study on the 12.1-billion-baht cruise terminal project, covering 47 rai of land at Laem Hin Khom in Taling Ngam subdistrict.

The study highlighted the location's suitability, citing its deep-sea environment that acts as a natural windbreaker and the availability of space to construct the cruise port. It also addressed emergency response considerations and the site's potential for full-scale commercial development.

The study recommended Public-Private Partnership (PPP) net cost investment as the best financing option for the project, projecting economic benefits of at least 46 billion baht over 37 years with an economic internal rate of return (EIRR) of over 15%.

The Marine Department has submitted the study to the Transport Ministry, which will forward it to the cabinet for approval, which is expected next month.

Construction of the cruise terminal is scheduled to begin in 2029 and be completed by 2032. Once operational, the terminal is expected to handle 120 cruise landings annually and attract at least 180,000 visitors each year.