PHUKET: The Phuket plan for a Patong Eye giant observation wheel has taken a turn for the worse.
There may be no temporary precursor to a bigger, permanent wheel offering views over Soi Bangla and beyond this Patong Carnival, which runs from December 15 to 20.
A permanent Patong Eye, backed by Dubai cash, was said to be likely to follow. But no more.
Tourism specialist of Patong Municipality Office, Suthalak Puttarak, told Phuketwan: "Do not write about a Patong Eye on the beach for the fest this year yet.
''It's likely there will be no Patong Eye. The wheel is too high and Patong people disagree to let the business set it up.''
Everybody knows that ups and downs come frequently already on Phuket. But the Patong Eye would at least have added a sense of continuity and progress.
Deputy Mayor Chairat Sukban, currently standing in for stood-down Mayor Pian Keesin, told Phuketwan that he was having difficulty putting the wheel in motion.
''Some of the people who disagree said that the Ferris wheel is going to create more traffic jams in Patong, some said the wheel is not safe, and some just completely disagree without any reason,'' he said.
That sounds like the Patong we all know and love. Tell people something is going to happen, stand well back, and let the world spin.
Khun Suthalak said: ''Earlier the Ferris wheel was going to be located on the beach, then we changed to Loma Park.
''Now the business has postponed setting up but they didn't say that they completely canceled the plan, they just put it off. All we can do is to wait and see whether the situation gets better.''
The Patong Carnival, we are assured, will begin with the traditional glitter and feathers of the parade, which Acting Mayor Chairat is usually on hand to greet.
Whether this year's high season parade will pass down a beach road free from the scores of tuk-tuks that usually hog the parking remains to be seen.
We hope there's a chance for someone to broadcast as part of the parade music the Byrd's classic:
''To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven.''
Or as they keep saying in Bangkok these days, long live the revolution.
Wheel or no wheel, the carnival is bound to be a money-spinner.
Khun Suthalak said: "The fest will last six days and we expect to gain 50 to100 million baht from it.
''The Governor want us to emphasise two things: first, the safety of the tourists, and second, traffic, and Patong is ready for both.''
There may be no temporary precursor to a bigger, permanent wheel offering views over Soi Bangla and beyond this Patong Carnival, which runs from December 15 to 20.
A permanent Patong Eye, backed by Dubai cash, was said to be likely to follow. But no more.
Tourism specialist of Patong Municipality Office, Suthalak Puttarak, told Phuketwan: "Do not write about a Patong Eye on the beach for the fest this year yet.
''It's likely there will be no Patong Eye. The wheel is too high and Patong people disagree to let the business set it up.''
Everybody knows that ups and downs come frequently already on Phuket. But the Patong Eye would at least have added a sense of continuity and progress.
Deputy Mayor Chairat Sukban, currently standing in for stood-down Mayor Pian Keesin, told Phuketwan that he was having difficulty putting the wheel in motion.
''Some of the people who disagree said that the Ferris wheel is going to create more traffic jams in Patong, some said the wheel is not safe, and some just completely disagree without any reason,'' he said.
That sounds like the Patong we all know and love. Tell people something is going to happen, stand well back, and let the world spin.
Khun Suthalak said: ''Earlier the Ferris wheel was going to be located on the beach, then we changed to Loma Park.
''Now the business has postponed setting up but they didn't say that they completely canceled the plan, they just put it off. All we can do is to wait and see whether the situation gets better.''
The Patong Carnival, we are assured, will begin with the traditional glitter and feathers of the parade, which Acting Mayor Chairat is usually on hand to greet.
Whether this year's high season parade will pass down a beach road free from the scores of tuk-tuks that usually hog the parking remains to be seen.
We hope there's a chance for someone to broadcast as part of the parade music the Byrd's classic:
''To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven.''
Or as they keep saying in Bangkok these days, long live the revolution.
Wheel or no wheel, the carnival is bound to be a money-spinner.
Khun Suthalak said: "The fest will last six days and we expect to gain 50 to100 million baht from it.
''The Governor want us to emphasise two things: first, the safety of the tourists, and second, traffic, and Patong is ready for both.''
The carnival is going home, the ferris wheel is spent.
Posted by mac on December 4, 2013 22:28