Phuket Car Free Day 2026 Set for September 20 with Cycling Route to Cape Panwa

Phuket is preparing to hold its annual Car Free Day, with the 2026 edition scheduled for Sunday, September 20. The main event will once again be a large cycling ride connecting Phuket Town with Cape Panwa.

The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) has begun preparations for Phuket Car Free Day 2026. This year, cyclists will gather at the former Phuket Provincial Hall in the historic centre of Phuket Town, which now serves as the PPAO headquarters. From there, the route will pass through the deep-sea port area before finishing at the Lam Dinso viewpoint on Cape Panwa, overlooking Chalong Bay and the Big Buddha.

The route will differ slightly from the one used by the PPAO two years ago. In 2024, cyclists also set off from the former Provincial Hall, but rode directly to Phuket Aquarium on Cape Panwa before returning to the starting point. At least 300 people took part in that event.

A planning meeting for Phuket Car Free Day 2026 was held on August 26 under PPAO President Rewat Areerob. Representatives of the provincial administration and Phuket Cycling Club also attended the meeting.

Organisers say the event is designed to encourage cycling and other environmentally friendly forms of transport, reduce reliance on cars and help cut air pollution. Another key objective is to promote the idea of a more liveable and comfortable urban environment.

Phuket’s Car Free Day will take place on Sunday, September 20, while the international date falls two days later, on September 22. World Car Free Day is traditionally observed on September 22, a date also recognised as the official World Car Free Day in United Nations documents.

However, cities and local authorities often organise related activities on the nearest weekend or spread programmes across several days. In Phuket’s case, the earlier date appears to be a practical choice: September 20, 2026 falls on a Sunday, while September 22 will be a Tuesday.