PATONG'S one-way road reversal should happen early in 2011. Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha has thrown his support behind the change and reforms to tuk-tuk and rental parking along Patong's beach road.
Signs will be posted on Monday promoting the one-way as changing in about 15 days, the Superintendent of Kathu Police Station, Colonel Arayapan Pukbuakao, said today.
''We are delighted to have the support of the Governor,'' he said. ''There are only a few obstacles to overcome now.''
Talks will be continuing next week to reach agreement with the motorcycle and car rental business proprietors who currently monopolise the prime parking spots along Patong's beach road.
More talks are also expected in the next few days with tuk-tuk drivers, who occupy all the parking on the right-hand side of beach road between Prachanukhro Road (the Absolute intersection) and Soi Bangla in the present clockwise one-way.
Motorcycle renters have also recently spread further along beach road to occupy space outside Loma Park. Without enforcement, solving the present parking quandary could see another problem develop further along beach road.
''The deal is coming but it's not quite sealed yet,'' one observer told Phuketwan. ''No firm date will be possible to set until everyone is in agreement. But it does seem certain to happen.''
Phuket Governor Tri's appearance at a meeting yesterday on Patong's new transport plan added considerable support to the one-way revolution.
And the governor made no bones about it: he told officials who gathered at the Patong Municipality building that he wants the matter resolved in time for the next ''Phuket Parliament'' meeting with honorary consuls and embassy representative in February.
Yesterday's meeting heard that Soi Sansabai - an extension of Soi Bangla - would stay as it is and not be a part of proposed changes.
The Mayor of Patong, Pian Keesin, advocated splitting the present space along beach road 50/50 between rental vehicles and public parking but prominent businessman Preechavude ''Prab'' Keesin, who is also President of the Taxi Federation of Patong, advocated a 30/70 split in favor of private parking.
The new call system that will enable registered tuk-tuks and taxis to be hailed on demand by resorts in Patong is expected to begin around the same time as the Patong one-way is reversed.
Khun Prab is to speak to motorcycle and vehicle renters next week in advance of the reversal of the one-way system. The agreement of the majority of renters will be desirable.
Reversing the one-way would bring an end to awkward transfers between the beach road and parallel Rat-U-Tit 200 Pi Road, where motorists and riders have to proceed down the right-hand side of the road.
It would also be more aesthetically pleasing, allowing visitors to travel along the beach road and take in the view as most of them arrive in Patong.
Yet to be clarified is the issue of making pedestrian crossings safe.
Tourists and locals have said that crossing Patong's one-way is risky, and it will only become more dangerous if the one-way is reversed and regular crossers continue to look for danger in the wrong direction.
Phuket Retirees 'Must Have Health Insurance'Signs will be posted on Monday promoting the one-way as changing in about 15 days, the Superintendent of Kathu Police Station, Colonel Arayapan Pukbuakao, said today.
''We are delighted to have the support of the Governor,'' he said. ''There are only a few obstacles to overcome now.''
Talks will be continuing next week to reach agreement with the motorcycle and car rental business proprietors who currently monopolise the prime parking spots along Patong's beach road.
More talks are also expected in the next few days with tuk-tuk drivers, who occupy all the parking on the right-hand side of beach road between Prachanukhro Road (the Absolute intersection) and Soi Bangla in the present clockwise one-way.
Motorcycle renters have also recently spread further along beach road to occupy space outside Loma Park. Without enforcement, solving the present parking quandary could see another problem develop further along beach road.
''The deal is coming but it's not quite sealed yet,'' one observer told Phuketwan. ''No firm date will be possible to set until everyone is in agreement. But it does seem certain to happen.''
Phuket Governor Tri's appearance at a meeting yesterday on Patong's new transport plan added considerable support to the one-way revolution.
And the governor made no bones about it: he told officials who gathered at the Patong Municipality building that he wants the matter resolved in time for the next ''Phuket Parliament'' meeting with honorary consuls and embassy representative in February.
Yesterday's meeting heard that Soi Sansabai - an extension of Soi Bangla - would stay as it is and not be a part of proposed changes.
The Mayor of Patong, Pian Keesin, advocated splitting the present space along beach road 50/50 between rental vehicles and public parking but prominent businessman Preechavude ''Prab'' Keesin, who is also President of the Taxi Federation of Patong, advocated a 30/70 split in favor of private parking.
The new call system that will enable registered tuk-tuks and taxis to be hailed on demand by resorts in Patong is expected to begin around the same time as the Patong one-way is reversed.
Khun Prab is to speak to motorcycle and vehicle renters next week in advance of the reversal of the one-way system. The agreement of the majority of renters will be desirable.
Reversing the one-way would bring an end to awkward transfers between the beach road and parallel Rat-U-Tit 200 Pi Road, where motorists and riders have to proceed down the right-hand side of the road.
It would also be more aesthetically pleasing, allowing visitors to travel along the beach road and take in the view as most of them arrive in Patong.
Yet to be clarified is the issue of making pedestrian crossings safe.
Tourists and locals have said that crossing Patong's one-way is risky, and it will only become more dangerous if the one-way is reversed and regular crossers continue to look for danger in the wrong direction.
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Well, this all sounds very encouraging. Dare I get my hopes up?
Posted by D on December 18, 2010 14:15