TWO connecting streets on Patong's one-way loop are to become one-way from January 15 as officials take a step-by-step approach to high-season traffic and parking changes in Phuket's major west-coast tourist destination.
Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha told a meeting at the Patong Municipality offices today that the date had been set for the change to the two connecting streets.
Traffic in those streets at present flows both ways, but motorists have to cross to the wrong side of the road, the right-hand side, to proceed.
Only the two connecting streets will change for now, although a map presented at today's meeting shows three more connecting streets also converting to one-way at some time in the future, but in the opposite direction.
The two streets that will convert to one-way on January 15 will both only carry traffic from Rat-U-Tit 200 Pi Road through to the beach road from that date.
The roads that are to be converted run alongside the Graceland Resort and the Sainamyen School. The other three connecting streets, including Soi Bangla, will remain wrong-side two-way routes for now.
New parking restrictions were also announced today for a busy part of Patong. Vehicles will only be allowed to park on one side of Prabaramee Road, the main road descending into Patong from the temple t-intersection, during peak hours of 7am-9am and 4pm-7pm.
Police said as many as 2000 cars use the road in a peak hour.
Talks with rental vehicle operators about proposed changes to parking along beach road are continuing. Concessions are being sought from the renters to make room for public parking in spaces fronting Patong beach that the operators have monopolised.
About 20 renters, tuk-tuk and taxi drivers were at today's meeting, along with the President of the Taxi Federation of Patong, Preechavude ''Prab'' Keesin.
Patong Mayor Pian Keesin said that some renters in Patong were not part of the renters' club and efforts were being made to encourage them to join. Renters would be required to fix standard rates for high-season and low-season hire, Mayor Keesin said.
Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha told a meeting at the Patong Municipality offices today that the date had been set for the change to the two connecting streets.
Traffic in those streets at present flows both ways, but motorists have to cross to the wrong side of the road, the right-hand side, to proceed.
Only the two connecting streets will change for now, although a map presented at today's meeting shows three more connecting streets also converting to one-way at some time in the future, but in the opposite direction.
The two streets that will convert to one-way on January 15 will both only carry traffic from Rat-U-Tit 200 Pi Road through to the beach road from that date.
The roads that are to be converted run alongside the Graceland Resort and the Sainamyen School. The other three connecting streets, including Soi Bangla, will remain wrong-side two-way routes for now.
New parking restrictions were also announced today for a busy part of Patong. Vehicles will only be allowed to park on one side of Prabaramee Road, the main road descending into Patong from the temple t-intersection, during peak hours of 7am-9am and 4pm-7pm.
Police said as many as 2000 cars use the road in a peak hour.
Talks with rental vehicle operators about proposed changes to parking along beach road are continuing. Concessions are being sought from the renters to make room for public parking in spaces fronting Patong beach that the operators have monopolised.
About 20 renters, tuk-tuk and taxi drivers were at today's meeting, along with the President of the Taxi Federation of Patong, Preechavude ''Prab'' Keesin.
Patong Mayor Pian Keesin said that some renters in Patong were not part of the renters' club and efforts were being made to encourage them to join. Renters would be required to fix standard rates for high-season and low-season hire, Mayor Keesin said.
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'Concessions are being sought from the renters to make room for public parking in spaces fronting Patong beach that the operators have monopolised.' I love this - its all very Sgt Wilson - 'if you all wouldn't mind moving along please', so the public can use the spaces allocated to the public!
Posted by Mister Ree on December 23, 2010 18:21