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Dubai Backers Win Support for 'Patong Eye'
By Chutima Sidasathian Monday, November 25, 2013
PHUKET: A ferris wheel similar to the London Eye is being proposed for the shorefront at Phuket's popular Patong west coast holiday hub.
The ''Patong Eye,'' situated at the end of the nightlife capital's famous Soi Bangla walking street, would be erected with investment from Dubai, acting mayor Chairat Sukban told Phuketwan today.
News of the observation wheel - likely to go alongside the police box - came today as Khun Chairat disclosed that fresh efforts to clean the popular beach began last week.
A grader was used for the first time to smooth the sand on the beach. Vendors who sell all kinds of items to holidaymakers lounging at Patong are believed to be unhappy with planned changes.
''We aim to manage and control the vendors on Patong beach,'' Khun Chairat said. ''The wheel would be an alternative source of income.''
Phuket is still repaying 22 million baht spent on Thailand's National Youth Games last year. Three million baht has been repaid so far by Patong Municipality, mostly from income provided by commercial markets on Patong's foreshore.
''Further talks are being held,'' said Khun Charat, who has been standing in as mayor since the long-term holder of the office, Pian Keesin, was forced to step aside while election fraud accusations are investigated.
''We think the wheel would be good for Patong.''
London and other cities around the world - including Singapore - have all built wheels in recent years, with mixed success.
Certainly, the views are the key. A smaller wheel in Bangkok failed to achieve the same following.
Being so close to the sea, salt is likely to mean higher maintenance costs for a ''Patong Eye.''
With so many people visiting Patong, a wheel is likely to prove popular overlooking the sea - with its paragliders and jet-skis - during the day and over the lights of Soi Bangla at night.
In recent years, more entertainment activities have been added to Phuket to supplement the natural attractions, its beaches and coral reefs.
Details of the Patong Eye have yet to be revealed. A smaller temporary wheel may be tested first.
The London Eye, 135 metres tall and with a diameter of 120 metres, was erected in 1999 and remained world's largest until the Singapore Flyer (165 metres tall) was erected in 2008.
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Comments
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The Singapore wheel went bust.
Posted by
Same, same but different.
on
November 25, 2013 11:57
Editor Comment:
Not exactly. Wikipedia says that on 28 May 2013, the Singapore Flyer announced that it was in receivership. Accounting firm Ferrier Hodgson has been appointed as the receiver and manager of the company's charged assets. Ferrier Hodgson said it is looking into identifying investors to manage and enhance the Singapore Flyer, and will ensure smooth operations at the Flyer throughout the receivership.
Call me cynical but - it'll be a rusty hulk following a couple of low season wind and salt spray batterings. But it might look quite pretty with a few flaming Chinese lanterns caught up in it come new years - though the para-sailors stuck in it won't feel the same.
Posted by
A local
on
November 25, 2013 12:01
This story made me think it's April Fool's day but sadly, knowing the decision making qualities of Patong influentials, I assume they are dead serious about this.
All I have to say is to fix the basics first. Learn to walk before you try to run.
There are so many obvious technical and practical impossibilities with this "wheel" that they are not even worth listing.
A truly "pie in the sky" idea. Chai-Yo !
Posted by
ThaiMike
on
November 25, 2013 12:15
The reason the "eyes" are in premium places around the world, because there are things that are culturally beautiful with some breathtaking sights.
Alas Patong has neither or anything of remote interest
Posted by
Tbs
on
November 25, 2013 12:19
At least you will get a good view of the TV screen the good Mayor has proposed
Posted by
paul
on
November 25, 2013 12:34
Suggest you stop window dressing things, if a company goes into receivership clearly it cannot maintain it's current finances, ie expenditure is more than income, which is commonly knows as going bust.
Posted by
Same, same but different
on
November 25, 2013 12:52
Editor Comment:
Suggest you stop exaggerating. If the wheel is in receivership but still operating, this is called ''trading through receivership.'' It is not ''going bust.''
"Alas Patong has neither or anything of remote interest"
I am not a big fan of Patong, but I'm sorry to see that Tbs has lost all sense of reality. The view of the natural beauty of the area will be awesome.
Posted by
stevenl
on
November 25, 2013 13:09
Improving the idea: Why not raising an embankment at the outer borders of the bay, then draining & paving the bay-area com-pletely and throwing up some kinda disneylandia. (Chairat, don't forget huge parking-lots for buses, tuktuks & taxis ;-)
Posted by
raland
on
November 25, 2013 13:21
... and by the way: By improving this way, the drowning stats will be reduced to zero immediately :-)
Posted by
raland
on
November 25, 2013 13:24
Well, if it is funded by the private sector - fine. Not sure about Chairat's preferred site but that is an issue for more debate. However, all these attractions and welcome signs will not mean much unless some of Patong's basic infrastructure isn't attended to - pronto.
1. The road between Banzaan and Patong Hospital is a disgrace. Almost need a 4x4 to traverse this section at present. How long has this project been already? Stop fiddling about and finish it!
2. The flood mitigation works around the Hospital - is this really the answer? It seems anything over an inch (25 mill) of rain these days and Saimenyen and Rat U Thit from there past the Paradise complex is instantly awash. Fix it.
3. Underground cabling should be fast tracked ASAP. Patong is a forest of black spaghetti, burying it will enhance the aesthetics of the city no end.
Posted by
Tony Hicks
on
November 25, 2013 14:01
@stevenl 'Tbs has lost all sense of reality. The view of the natural beauty of the area will be awesome.'
Can only think you are strictly 'tongue in cheek' with your comment stevenl.
Posted by
James
on
November 25, 2013 15:51
Myself, I don't see why many tourists would use this ferris wheel, many would have a better view, free, by heading north or south out of Patong, along the coast roads, the views from the hills are stunning
Posted by
Laurie Howells
on
November 25, 2013 17:22
Alocal, I can see the PW's headline: Man who's parachute entangled in Patong Eye miraculously survives plunge after flaming lantern burns him free but illegal beach construction breaks fall!
you read it here first
And then he has to pay for the parachute, the lantern and the illegal repairs to the illegal construction.
Posted by
geoff
on
November 25, 2013 19:04
@ Charles - excellent idea. Great symbol - the town of tuk-tuks. Could become a famous monument similar to the Statue of Liberty or the Eiffel Tower. That would certainly attract a lot of tourists.
Posted by
Sherlock
on
November 25, 2013 20:06
I say this with the heart: this is the stupidest idea I've ever heard since I live in Phuket. Even worste than the platform for helicopters landing proposed by the (ex)former mayor .. The wheel should be placed exactly in position transverse to all the prevailing winds that blow for six months to one side and the other for the next... And many times very strong wind!! The corrosion will do the rest...
Posted by
dave
on
November 25, 2013 21:01
Editor Comment:
Dave the Doomsayer?
This is probably the stupidest idea I have heard about since the waste of money on the "Welcome to Patong" monument on the top of Patong hill.
Imagine what will happen when the electric goes off - recall a 4 hour blackout a month or so ago. Cant imagine the distress of customers sat up there on the wheel swaying about in a gentle zephyr off the sea if it claps out in the low season. Stop this stupidity now.
Posted by
Pando
on
November 26, 2013 06:49
Seems to me to be a very very bad idea, if you live there put a stop to it before its too late...
Posted by
casual observer
on
November 26, 2013 07:29
@ Editor Comment:
Dave the Doomsayer?
How about Dave the Realist , Mr Ed ?
much more appropriate.
Posted by
James
on
November 26, 2013 12:49
Editor Comment:
Realists believe change is inevitable, James. It always is. If Dave was as academically qualified as he claims to be, he'd realise that change is constant and irresistible.
Doomsayers (''Nothing will change'') are merely cheerleaders for the corrupt.
I like the idea. With it Patong finishes the rebranding as amusement park. Starting your tour with the rollercoaster buses over the hills, then visit the freak show in soi bangla, the scammsters arena at the beach, paired with real live drama of finding a parking space and then get on this wheel to see the scenic view of the concrete jungle and the total ugly roofs of this shabby town. And when it will stuck the guests can made pay for crashing the thing.
Posted by
Lena
on
November 26, 2013 14:13
Spot on Lena.... They can use some of the Tuks Tuks along Beach Road as the cars for the thing.
Posted by
Patong Pete
on
November 27, 2013 22:51
Hmm sounds like fun...BUT
Given the questionable Thai building standards and attention to tourist safety...?
Wonder why not at Cape Phromthep or adjacent to Big Buddha..far better views methinks and based on rock?
Posted by
david
on
November 29, 2013 08:17
Dunno ....but if I had the Dubai bucks at my disposal I would be inclined toward helicopter or float plane flights.More lucrative and perhaps safer?
Posted by
david
on
November 29, 2013 08:36
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The Singapore wheel went bust.
Posted by Same, same but different. on November 25, 2013 11:57
Editor Comment:
Not exactly. Wikipedia says that on 28 May 2013, the Singapore Flyer announced that it was in receivership. Accounting firm Ferrier Hodgson has been appointed as the receiver and manager of the company's charged assets. Ferrier Hodgson said it is looking into identifying investors to manage and enhance the Singapore Flyer, and will ensure smooth operations at the Flyer throughout the receivership.