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Pole dancing takes on a new meaning at a dangerous Phuket road

How Dare U: Turners Won't be Tamed

Tuesday, October 13, 2015
PHUKET: There is just not much that can be done to stop a Phuket motorcycle rider getting where they need to be, by the shortest possible route.

Last Tuesday Phuket highway officers and Vichit traffic police placed plastic post road barriers at the south end of the Central Festival underpass.

The barriers aimed to stop all motorists from performing illegal u-turns at the entrance/exit of the underpass.

However, it appears that these barriers are failing to stop riders travelling south along the bypass road from doing illegal u-turns that endanger other motorists travelling north.

In a visit to observe what was happening, Phuketwan reporters saw at least 20 motorcycles in 10 minutes perform illegal u-turns at the southern end of the new post barricades.

Other riders completed illegal u-turns in the middle of the barricade.

While the plastic barriers may be safer than concrete barriers for motorists, they are failing to stop motorcycle riders completing illegal u-turns.

It does appear that the new barriers are stopping cars and bigger vehicles from completing illegal u-turns.

While two no u-turns' are clearly visible as southern motorists approach the barrier, there is no sign to show south bound motorists that they can complete a lawful u-turn about 100 meters further along the road.

Chief of the Vichit Traffic Police, Colonel Siripong Wongsanpe, told Phuketwan that every motorbike rider or driver trying to make illegal u-turns at the barriers will be fined 400-1000 baht if caught.

Colonel Siripong said that police were considering placing another sign near the new barricades to tell motorists about the correct place to complete their u-turn.

Comments

Comments have been disabled for this article.

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Should not have said "when caught". Oh hang on that would mean a bit of police enforcement. Silly me

Posted by rich on October 13, 2015 12:38

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If where I think you mean, this has been a dangerous point for ages. You're right there isn't (or wasn't at least) a sign telling motorists where they COULD turn. Hope this is made clear before anyone dies.

Posted by Anonymous on October 13, 2015 17:40

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Keep dreaming with these plastic 'poles', in a few months they are gone, same way as on the hill between Chalong and Kata.
Only solid plastic bodies, with no openings, will be serving this aim.

Posted by Kurt on October 13, 2015 18:05

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not only bike riders.. cars and minibuses also make u-turns here frequently..

Posted by another steve on October 13, 2015 19:33

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incidentally the 'legal u-turn frequently has light jumpers who don't want to wait when heading into phuket town turning left into the bypass at central then right illegally and cross the u-turn before darting across 3 lanes of traffic to continue past darasamuth (or in there on a school day)..

Posted by another steve on October 13, 2015 19:38

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The Chief of the Vichit Traffic Police, Colonel Siripong Wongsanpe have only to put 4 police offisers, two in each end and catch each one. Not only 400/1000 gath, but take the motorbikes/cars for 6 month. That will stop this maniac driving in a very short time.

Posted by Retired Roadworker on October 13, 2015 20:56

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Bye the way, from the red light crossing down to the holiday market and to the next red light crossing, it have been this silly red plastic cones for more than one year. In the same year, motorbikes kick down one or two to cross the street. All the way. Why not use concrete elements?

Posted by Retired Roadworker on October 13, 2015 21:02

Editor Comment:

Concrete is unforgiving.

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I really wish the expats would stop complaining about the driving situation, and everything else in Thailand and Phuket..It's the highlight of living here...If you want strict driving rules , and everything other thing to be strict, please go back home and stop trying to change things..

Posted by Anonymous on October 13, 2015 22:31

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That's why riders in Phuket die like a flies... No helmet, no driving licence, no lights, no drive skills and non respect for the laws...

Posted by dave on October 13, 2015 22:33

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A simple 500-baht fine would easily "tame" the riders. And if that doesn't do the trick, a 1000-baht fine surely will. Guaranteed. This is not rocket science. It's easy peasy

Posted by christian on October 17, 2015 07:07


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