Phuket’s road upgrades bring new challenges and improvements for two-wheel travellers

As Phuket continues its infrastructure overhaul, motorbike riders must navigate a changing road scene with careful planning, but find improved routes amidst ongoing works.

Phuket remains one of Thailand’s most popular places to explore on two wheels, but visitors planning to hire a motorbike should expect a changing road scene. The island is still in the middle of a broad infrastructure push, with drainage works, resurfacing and road widening affecting parts of the network. At the same time, some projects are being completed, which is helping improve journeys in key areas. For travellers, the practical message is simple: route conditions can change quickly, so it is worth checking before you set off.

That matters most around busy approach roads and neighbourhood streets where crews have been installing drains or improving flood protection. The Phuket Highways Office has extended work on Thepkrasattri-Nai Yang Road, near Phuket International Airport, with traffic reduced to one lane while a drainage system is fitted beneath the road. In Phuket Town, authorities have also closed a section of Yaowarat Road for drainage works intended to reduce flooding. For riders, that means slower progress, temporary detours and a greater chance of uneven surfaces, loose gravel or sudden lane shifts.

The good news is that not every route is affected in the same way. According to reports from local and national outlets, some major roads in Phuket are being upgraded to make travel safer and easier, including the final four-lane section of Highway 4030 in Kathu and wider highway investment plans linked to the island’s future transport network. That does not remove the need for caution, but it does suggest that some main links are becoming more comfortable for visitors heading between the airport, town and the beaches.

For anyone hiring a scooter, the safest approach is to choose a well-maintained bike with decent tyres and suspension, then ride more conservatively than you might on a normal holiday. Slow down well before rough patches, avoid braking hard inside potholes, and keep a larger gap from the vehicle in front. Head outside the main traffic peaks if you can, and be especially careful after rain, when sand, standing water and fresh roadworks can make surfaces slippery and harder to read.

That is particularly useful advice for routes tourists are most likely to use, such as the run towards Patong, Karon and Kata, where roads are usually manageable but can still be disrupted by local works or hilly bends. Phuket is still very much a motorbike-friendly destination, but it now rewards travellers who plan a little more carefully. A quick check with your rental provider, a slower pace and a properly inspected bike can make the difference between a smooth island ride and an unpleasant surprise.