PHUKET: Noise in Patong's famous walking street, Soi Bangla, is out of control and rapidly approaching levels that will drive away as many tourists as the ''music'' attracts.
Last night, even the Mayor of Patong, Pian Keesin, struggled to make himself heard as he outlined the coming Patong Carnival highlights with VIPs Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosutthirak and sponsor Thai Beverage Phuket manager Somsak Rattana also barely audible.
Several tourists have complained recently to Phuketwan that the cacophony in Soi Bangla is out of control - along with the go-go pole dancing now at street level, in full sight of family groups.
While Patong hopes to eventually emulate Rio's famous and spectacular carnival, the wall of sound is likely to be a turn-off rather than a turn-on for tourists.
This year's Patong Carnival promises to be the most spectacular yet, with the 5pm parade along beach road on December 15 a pipeopener to six days of festivities.
Earlier in the day at 9am, the offering of food to monks at Loma Park is likely to be a quieter, more reflective moment.
Two stages - one at the foot of Soi Bangla near the beach, and the other for live music at the playing field opposite Loma Park - will be the centre of activities.
Efforts are also being made between December 15-December 20 to help protect the Patong beach environment from garbage and other damaging effects.
A useful start for a better Patong could be made by wiping out the noise pollution in Soi Bangla.
Last night, even the Mayor of Patong, Pian Keesin, struggled to make himself heard as he outlined the coming Patong Carnival highlights with VIPs Vice Governor Somkiet Sangkaosutthirak and sponsor Thai Beverage Phuket manager Somsak Rattana also barely audible.
Several tourists have complained recently to Phuketwan that the cacophony in Soi Bangla is out of control - along with the go-go pole dancing now at street level, in full sight of family groups.
While Patong hopes to eventually emulate Rio's famous and spectacular carnival, the wall of sound is likely to be a turn-off rather than a turn-on for tourists.
This year's Patong Carnival promises to be the most spectacular yet, with the 5pm parade along beach road on December 15 a pipeopener to six days of festivities.
Earlier in the day at 9am, the offering of food to monks at Loma Park is likely to be a quieter, more reflective moment.
Two stages - one at the foot of Soi Bangla near the beach, and the other for live music at the playing field opposite Loma Park - will be the centre of activities.
Efforts are also being made between December 15-December 20 to help protect the Patong beach environment from garbage and other damaging effects.
A useful start for a better Patong could be made by wiping out the noise pollution in Soi Bangla.
They worry about noise on Bangla, where it should be, and they don't care about the noise made from hotel construction projects on Nanai which go on all night keeping residents up all night!
Posted by Zig on December 1, 2011 13:51
Editor Comment:
Doesn't everybody in Patong stay up all night?