The cable car project at Phu Kradueng National Park in Loei province is advancing, with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation anticipating the completion of both the design and environmental impact assessment within two years, as of May 2025.
A budget of 25.7 million baht has been allocated by the Budget Bureau to the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration (DASTA) to develop the cable car’s design, conduct the EIA, and supervise construction. The full project cost is projected at approximately one billion baht.
According to officials, the initiative will unfold in two phases. The first will focus on the physical construction of the cable car system. The second will concentrate on managing the project and developing tourist services, such as lodging near the mountain base, particularly aimed at elderly visitors who may find camping at the summit difficult.
DASTA is reportedly considering a single tower cable car model, inspired by systems observed in several European countries. This design is intended to minimize the environmental footprint by reducing the number of support structures on the forest floor.
Opposition to the cable car has reportedly declined in recent years. As part of broader plans to improve accessibility, the department is also exploring the potential for a small-scale electric train system atop the mountain and safari-style guided tours along roads currently closed due to the presence of wild elephants.
Officials involved in the project include Atthaphon Charoenchansa, director-general of the National Parks Department. The developments were reported by Thai PBS World.
