PHUKET: The remarkable reformation of Phuket continued yesterday in Patong, where taxi and tuk-tuk drivers face new get-tough police enforcement and where resorts are being asked to ''take in a taxi driver.''
Among the potential highlights of the ''new'' Patong:
.. 100 percent law enforcement by police
.. a no-parking regimen that will clear the streets of tuk-tuks and taxis
.. a free tuk-tuk loop of the one-way system
That's the plan to free up space for traffic flow and parking in Patong's cluttered streets, where there will be no parking for perhaps two months as police break the grip of the taxi and tuk-tuk drivers.
At least, that's the plan. A resort manager at the summit yesterday at Patong's municipal offices said he had noticed that while the illegal taxi shacks had been demolished, drivers were back sitting in the same spots in plastic chairs under umbrellas.
''So the issue is not resolved,'' said the manager, who preferred to remain anonymous. Another resort manager - one of about 40 at the meeting - also had an important point to make.
''The taxi drivers are not all that worried about their fares,'' he said. ''Most of them make the bulk of their income by getting high commissions from places that pay them to bring tourists.''
A third manager called for the tuk-tuks to be used quickly in a free ride around the Patong one-way loop with a free ''city tour'' to Phuket Town suggested as another worthwhile option.
Chairing the meeting, the Director of Kathu district, Saiyan Chanawong, called on Patong's 120 resort to consider ''taking in some taxi drivers'' and absorbing them as part of the staff.
''That would help to clear Patong's roads,'' he said. ''We are going ahead with a plan to structure a call centre so resorts can order up taxis or tuk-tuks as they are required. But we need a large holding area and they are rare around Patong.''
He said council officials were looking at parking space near Tritrang beach, south of Patong, but the area might not be large enough.
''All the illegal queues around Patong have been demolished now,'' he said. ''Fortunately, so far no charges have been laid, the way they did in Kata-Karon [where more than 110 drivers and council officials face charges.]''
The aim is to have just two taxis or tuk-tuks at each of several parking spots in Patong - and illegal parking will be completely outlawed. The call centre will supply all resorts.
The new ''road map'' for Patong will be implemented by July 15, he said.
He added that he will also implement the clearances of foreshore businesses at Patong and Kamala beaches, which both come under the control of Kathu district.
''We have two months, three at most to implement the changes peacefully,'' he said. ''If the drivers and vendors choose not to abide by the new arrangements, the Army will sort them out. It's that simple.''
The chief of traffic at Kathu Police Station, Lieutenant Eakkarat Paidong, said Patong currently had 400 tuk-tuks and 500 legal taxis, plus illegal ''black'' vehicles.
''Now we have a new plan, parking and holding,'' he said. ''If resorts can take in taxi drivers, that will help.
''As part of the plan, all of Patong's streets are to be painted with red and white no parking stripes. That will be the case for at least two months. Yes, even the car hire vehicles will be forced off beach road.
''Then, when we have restored an orderly traffic flow, we will mark a small number of parking spots in black and white.''
The Superintendent of Kathu Police, Colonel Jirapat Palchanaphan, said: ''From now on there will be 100 percent enforcement of the law throughout Patong. No exceptions.''
Among the potential highlights of the ''new'' Patong:
.. 100 percent law enforcement by police
.. a no-parking regimen that will clear the streets of tuk-tuks and taxis
.. a free tuk-tuk loop of the one-way system
That's the plan to free up space for traffic flow and parking in Patong's cluttered streets, where there will be no parking for perhaps two months as police break the grip of the taxi and tuk-tuk drivers.
At least, that's the plan. A resort manager at the summit yesterday at Patong's municipal offices said he had noticed that while the illegal taxi shacks had been demolished, drivers were back sitting in the same spots in plastic chairs under umbrellas.
''So the issue is not resolved,'' said the manager, who preferred to remain anonymous. Another resort manager - one of about 40 at the meeting - also had an important point to make.
''The taxi drivers are not all that worried about their fares,'' he said. ''Most of them make the bulk of their income by getting high commissions from places that pay them to bring tourists.''
A third manager called for the tuk-tuks to be used quickly in a free ride around the Patong one-way loop with a free ''city tour'' to Phuket Town suggested as another worthwhile option.
Chairing the meeting, the Director of Kathu district, Saiyan Chanawong, called on Patong's 120 resort to consider ''taking in some taxi drivers'' and absorbing them as part of the staff.
''That would help to clear Patong's roads,'' he said. ''We are going ahead with a plan to structure a call centre so resorts can order up taxis or tuk-tuks as they are required. But we need a large holding area and they are rare around Patong.''
He said council officials were looking at parking space near Tritrang beach, south of Patong, but the area might not be large enough.
''All the illegal queues around Patong have been demolished now,'' he said. ''Fortunately, so far no charges have been laid, the way they did in Kata-Karon [where more than 110 drivers and council officials face charges.]''
The aim is to have just two taxis or tuk-tuks at each of several parking spots in Patong - and illegal parking will be completely outlawed. The call centre will supply all resorts.
The new ''road map'' for Patong will be implemented by July 15, he said.
He added that he will also implement the clearances of foreshore businesses at Patong and Kamala beaches, which both come under the control of Kathu district.
''We have two months, three at most to implement the changes peacefully,'' he said. ''If the drivers and vendors choose not to abide by the new arrangements, the Army will sort them out. It's that simple.''
The chief of traffic at Kathu Police Station, Lieutenant Eakkarat Paidong, said Patong currently had 400 tuk-tuks and 500 legal taxis, plus illegal ''black'' vehicles.
''Now we have a new plan, parking and holding,'' he said. ''If resorts can take in taxi drivers, that will help.
''As part of the plan, all of Patong's streets are to be painted with red and white no parking stripes. That will be the case for at least two months. Yes, even the car hire vehicles will be forced off beach road.
''Then, when we have restored an orderly traffic flow, we will mark a small number of parking spots in black and white.''
The Superintendent of Kathu Police, Colonel Jirapat Palchanaphan, said: ''From now on there will be 100 percent enforcement of the law throughout Patong. No exceptions.''
I loved the key phrase here 'At least, that's the plan'. Any military man knows that no plan survives the first contact
Bearing in mind we have (in theory) had the tuk tuks, rentals and taxis cleared from the streets in January (and on numerous other occasions the proof will be in the pudding.
If there is to be NO street parking though I wonder where I am supposed to park my car if I choose to visit Patong in the next 2 months- mind you it gives me yet another reason not to bother.
Posted by Mister Ree on July 2, 2014 09:26