PHUKET: Phuket's new Police Commander arrived on Phuket today and plunged into preparations for a jam-packed New Year 2012 celebration, with possibly the largest crowd and the greatest number of checkpoints ever - plus a potential protest by tuk-tuk drivers.
Major General Chonsit Wadhnawarangkun concentrated this afternoon on Patong, where Soi Bangla, the nightlife town's hub, is likely to become the epicentre of perhaps the biggest crowd ever gathered on Phuket's streets.
Managing that happy mob will be the major general's first serious task on Phuket, although he told Phuketwan today that he'd visited Phuket many times as a tourist.
A total of 55 checkpoints will be scattered across Phuket as the annual Seven Days of Danger Campaign, which began today, merges into the biggest night of this year, or probably any other year.
Police and hundreds of volunteers will be out to check for drugs, knives, guns and any sign of trouble in concentric rings, with Soi Bangla at the heart.
Kathu Police Station Superintendent Colonel Arayapan Pukbuakao, who oversees Patong, told his new chief today when they met that beach road in Patong will be closed to traffic from 10pm on December 31 to 2am on January 1 - a move that already has tuk-tuk drivers unhappy and questioning how they will be able to move around Patong.
Crowd control will be critical, with beach road closed from the Sea Pearl Resort to Loma Park. Cars and motorcycles will be able to park in the football field opposite Loma Park - but it may be a case of first come.
Police and volunteers will also turn out in large numbers to control crowds for countdowns to new years eve in Karon and Phuket City, but Soi Bangla and Patong will be where most international revellers go.
Look for Commander Chonsit on New year's Eve in Bangla. It's expected to be January 3 before the last of the whistles are blown and the streamers are thrown.
Earlier today, Major General Chonsit visited the Tachatchai Checkpoint at Phuket's northern approach before spending time talking to all eight police superintendents from around Phuket at Police Headquarters in Phuket City.
Major General Pekad Tantipong, who was Phuket Police Commander for more than two years, has a new posting in Bangkok. Some changes are expected among senior police on Phuket in mid-January.
Major General Chonsit Wadhnawarangkun concentrated this afternoon on Patong, where Soi Bangla, the nightlife town's hub, is likely to become the epicentre of perhaps the biggest crowd ever gathered on Phuket's streets.
Managing that happy mob will be the major general's first serious task on Phuket, although he told Phuketwan today that he'd visited Phuket many times as a tourist.
A total of 55 checkpoints will be scattered across Phuket as the annual Seven Days of Danger Campaign, which began today, merges into the biggest night of this year, or probably any other year.
Police and hundreds of volunteers will be out to check for drugs, knives, guns and any sign of trouble in concentric rings, with Soi Bangla at the heart.
Kathu Police Station Superintendent Colonel Arayapan Pukbuakao, who oversees Patong, told his new chief today when they met that beach road in Patong will be closed to traffic from 10pm on December 31 to 2am on January 1 - a move that already has tuk-tuk drivers unhappy and questioning how they will be able to move around Patong.
Crowd control will be critical, with beach road closed from the Sea Pearl Resort to Loma Park. Cars and motorcycles will be able to park in the football field opposite Loma Park - but it may be a case of first come.
Police and volunteers will also turn out in large numbers to control crowds for countdowns to new years eve in Karon and Phuket City, but Soi Bangla and Patong will be where most international revellers go.
Look for Commander Chonsit on New year's Eve in Bangla. It's expected to be January 3 before the last of the whistles are blown and the streamers are thrown.
Earlier today, Major General Chonsit visited the Tachatchai Checkpoint at Phuket's northern approach before spending time talking to all eight police superintendents from around Phuket at Police Headquarters in Phuket City.
Major General Pekad Tantipong, who was Phuket Police Commander for more than two years, has a new posting in Bangkok. Some changes are expected among senior police on Phuket in mid-January.
New years eve in Patong in 2006/7. One of the most happiest memories of Phuket. Great table at the sea, terrific view over the beach of Patong from a little distance, every hour some hotel started its fireworks. Hundreds of flying candles starting from the beach. Food, service, people perfect. Later we joined the crowd, ran into some friends and got into a full but friendly disco until dawn. No hassles but some tuktuk on the beach road. Good they close the road now.
I envy you, who celebrate in Patong tomorrow night. Have a good time. Happy New Year Phuket and Phuketwan.
Posted by Lena on December 30, 2011 06:58