PATONG'S new beachfront parking zones were declared open today by Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha, giving the west coast town a new 200 percent formula for its roads.
From midnight on January 1 it will be 100 percent helmets, 76 percent tourist parking and 24 percent motorcycle-car rent parking.
And more change lies ahead: negotiations are continuing on a new range of tuk-tuk fares, the Governor said, with a call centre on the way.
Governor Tri and other dignitaries inspected the new angle parking - and were close by when a policeman clamped a parked vehicle that hadn't followed the freshly-angled white lines.
''This is a good start for Patong,'' Governor Tri said.
''I've often heard complaints from tourists about rip-offs from tuk-tuks, about the traffic, and about the way the rent operators monopolised the beach front parking.
''So called black taxis will be co-operating with resorts to determine how many can park outside. We are trying to sort out Patong's problems, bit by bit.
''On January 15 next year, parking in Prabaramee Road [downhill to the beach from the temple] will become clearer with alternate days for parking for odd and even numbers on each side.''
The governor said that a crackdown would begin on people who did not follow the new parking law from that date. Signs would promote the new arrangement in the meantime.
Phuket Police Commander Major General Pekad Tantipong said Thais and tourists had complained about traffic jams in Patong, about parking and about rip-offs.
''In some cases, it has been beyond the capacity of police to solve these issues,'' he said. ''Today is a good start to fixing these problems. On Phuket, people tend to disregard the law because the fines are low.
''We cannot apply the law 100 percent because if we do, there will be a public protest. But there should be greater concern about safety and security.''
Phuket Transport Director Kanok Siripanichkoon said he was glad that Patong had made a start. The town was an international destination with local problems involving transport, he said.
''Everybody is concerned about safety when they come here, and nobody wants to be ripped off. If this project is successful, it will be good not just for the tourists but primarily for Phuket people.
''Other good things will follow.''
Vice Governor Wirawat Janpen, once the Director of Kathu District, the area around Patong, said the issue had been discussed for a long time. ''The local people should know that if we do good things, the future will be brighter.
''Patong's problems cannot be solved by the law, but they can be solved by the local people. They know where the problems are, and how to sort them out.''
Kathu Police Superintendent Colonel Arayapan Pukbuakao said previous attempts to correct the parking situation had failed because police were acting alone. ''Now I am delighted to see the Mayor, the Transport Director, the Governor, and the Taxi Federation supporting this move.
''We are no longer alone.''
Among those also at today's beachfront opening were the Patong Mayor, Pian Keesin, Deputy Mayor Chairat Sukban, the President of the Taxi Federation, Preechavude Keesin, and the President of the Motorcycle Taxi Club, Arnut Lowlrang.
From midnight on January 1 it will be 100 percent helmets, 76 percent tourist parking and 24 percent motorcycle-car rent parking.
And more change lies ahead: negotiations are continuing on a new range of tuk-tuk fares, the Governor said, with a call centre on the way.
Governor Tri and other dignitaries inspected the new angle parking - and were close by when a policeman clamped a parked vehicle that hadn't followed the freshly-angled white lines.
''This is a good start for Patong,'' Governor Tri said.
''I've often heard complaints from tourists about rip-offs from tuk-tuks, about the traffic, and about the way the rent operators monopolised the beach front parking.
''So called black taxis will be co-operating with resorts to determine how many can park outside. We are trying to sort out Patong's problems, bit by bit.
''On January 15 next year, parking in Prabaramee Road [downhill to the beach from the temple] will become clearer with alternate days for parking for odd and even numbers on each side.''
The governor said that a crackdown would begin on people who did not follow the new parking law from that date. Signs would promote the new arrangement in the meantime.
Phuket Police Commander Major General Pekad Tantipong said Thais and tourists had complained about traffic jams in Patong, about parking and about rip-offs.
''In some cases, it has been beyond the capacity of police to solve these issues,'' he said. ''Today is a good start to fixing these problems. On Phuket, people tend to disregard the law because the fines are low.
''We cannot apply the law 100 percent because if we do, there will be a public protest. But there should be greater concern about safety and security.''
Phuket Transport Director Kanok Siripanichkoon said he was glad that Patong had made a start. The town was an international destination with local problems involving transport, he said.
''Everybody is concerned about safety when they come here, and nobody wants to be ripped off. If this project is successful, it will be good not just for the tourists but primarily for Phuket people.
''Other good things will follow.''
Vice Governor Wirawat Janpen, once the Director of Kathu District, the area around Patong, said the issue had been discussed for a long time. ''The local people should know that if we do good things, the future will be brighter.
''Patong's problems cannot be solved by the law, but they can be solved by the local people. They know where the problems are, and how to sort them out.''
Kathu Police Superintendent Colonel Arayapan Pukbuakao said previous attempts to correct the parking situation had failed because police were acting alone. ''Now I am delighted to see the Mayor, the Transport Director, the Governor, and the Taxi Federation supporting this move.
''We are no longer alone.''
Among those also at today's beachfront opening were the Patong Mayor, Pian Keesin, Deputy Mayor Chairat Sukban, the President of the Taxi Federation, Preechavude Keesin, and the President of the Motorcycle Taxi Club, Arnut Lowlrang.
Well, let's take a step back and see what happens. If this does go well it'll be an excellent step forward. It's amazing what can be achieved when people will compromise and work together for the greater good.
Posted by Graham on December 30, 2010 14:47