A GROUP of tuk-tuk drivers who want to reverse the direction of Patong's one-way loop have been offered the opportunity to do their own survey of popular opinion in the west-coast holiday town.
Once the survey has been completed, Patong authorities will consider the move. The tuk-tuk drivers, part of a group that remains outside the much larger Patong Taxi Federation, staged a protest last week at Kathu Police Station over recent changes to the one-way system.
As an alternative, the rebel tuk-tuk drivers would like to reverse the one-way loop and make connecting laneway sois between beach road and Rat-U-Tit 200 Pi Road two-ways instead of one-ways.
While the latest changes, implemented on January 15, are the result of a consensus decision, the rebel drivers say adoption of their plan would prevent the extra travel incurred.
Private talks today involved Patong Mayor Pian Keesin, the Director of Kathu District, Siripat Patkun, a senior Kathu police patrol officer, Lt Colonel Jakkrawad Boontaweekulsawad, and a delegation of tuk-tuk drivers.
Maad Lee, who said he was a consultant to the drivers and designer of their proposed traffic route, said that Mayor Keesin and the committee listened sympathetically today.
Mayor Keesin had asked the drivers to do a survey to guage how many people supported the one-way change, Khun Maad said. He added: ''I think it's going to happen.''
He said the survey and the changeover could take as long as three months.
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As an alternative, the rebel tuk-tuk drivers would like to reverse the one-way loop and make connecting laneway sois between beach road and Rat-U-Tit 200 Pi Road two-ways instead of one-ways.
While the latest changes, implemented on January 15, are the result of a consensus decision, the rebel drivers say adoption of their plan would prevent the extra travel incurred.
Private talks today involved Patong Mayor Pian Keesin, the Director of Kathu District, Siripat Patkun, a senior Kathu police patrol officer, Lt Colonel Jakkrawad Boontaweekulsawad, and a delegation of tuk-tuk drivers.
Maad Lee, who said he was a consultant to the drivers and designer of their proposed traffic route, said that Mayor Keesin and the committee listened sympathetically today.
Mayor Keesin had asked the drivers to do a survey to guage how many people supported the one-way change, Khun Maad said. He added: ''I think it's going to happen.''
He said the survey and the changeover could take as long as three months.
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Actually, the rebel tuk-tuk drivers' proposed map looks to be an improvement on the current situation. There is access to beach road from Rat u thit road - with no need to drive on the wrong side. The only problem i foresee is that the 'new' road (from Simon Cabaret junction to the back of Jungceylon) is already a pot-holed disgrace and would need PROPERLY resurfacing to cope with the extra traffic. Let's hope that this new map gets discussed by Patong municipality.
Posted by Mr Man on February 1, 2011 06:41