THE rearrangement of parking on Patong's beach road has been agreed and 74 percent of the disputed space will revert to public spaces, the President of the Taxi Federation of Patong, Preechavude ''Prab'' Keesin, said yesterday.
The remaining 26 percent will be allocated to renters of motocycles and four-wheel vehicles at seven designated points along the beach road, he told Phuketwan.
The plan is to introduce the new zones from December 30, when Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha will declare the new arrangement a done deal.
From that date, public signs would also list standard prices for rented vehicles and for jet-skis, Khun Prab said. The lines of tuk-tuks that currently take up most of the parking space on the opposite side of beach road to the rental vehicles will also no longer be there, he said.
A new system will allow former ''black'' illegal taxis to register as green-plate taxis and for green-plate taxis to upgrade to be part of a call centre system, he said.
Under the new deal, both taxis and tuk-tuks will park elsewhere and respond to calls from the call centre when required.
The same system will leave renters with most rent motorcycles and rent vehicles parked away from beach road, he said. As tourists hire vehicles or motorcycles, other vehicles and motorcycles can replace those on beach road.
Moves are already underway to begin subtle but important changes from January 15 that will make Patong's one-way system safer, and ease traffic congestion on the main road into Patong from Phuket City.
The changes will eventually make all minor roads linking the beach road and the parallel Rat-U-Tit 200 Pi Road one-way. At present, motorists have to cross to the wrong side of the road, the right side, to negotiate most connecting roads.
From December 30, Khun Prab said, existing renters will be restricted to five metre by five metre spaces to promote their businesses and park vehicles.
The seven designated areas will be in front of Patong Merlin, Holiday Inn, Baan Laimai, Banthai, Patong Seafood, Mc Donalds, and Loma Park.
Phuket's Governor Tri, Mayor Pian Keesin, Khun Prab, Patong police and representatives of the renters and other businesses have been engaged in a series of meetings to reach agreement on improvements to the monopolisation of Patong's prime beach road parking spots by commercial interests.
Karon's Construction Era 'Almost at an End'The remaining 26 percent will be allocated to renters of motocycles and four-wheel vehicles at seven designated points along the beach road, he told Phuketwan.
The plan is to introduce the new zones from December 30, when Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha will declare the new arrangement a done deal.
From that date, public signs would also list standard prices for rented vehicles and for jet-skis, Khun Prab said. The lines of tuk-tuks that currently take up most of the parking space on the opposite side of beach road to the rental vehicles will also no longer be there, he said.
A new system will allow former ''black'' illegal taxis to register as green-plate taxis and for green-plate taxis to upgrade to be part of a call centre system, he said.
Under the new deal, both taxis and tuk-tuks will park elsewhere and respond to calls from the call centre when required.
The same system will leave renters with most rent motorcycles and rent vehicles parked away from beach road, he said. As tourists hire vehicles or motorcycles, other vehicles and motorcycles can replace those on beach road.
Moves are already underway to begin subtle but important changes from January 15 that will make Patong's one-way system safer, and ease traffic congestion on the main road into Patong from Phuket City.
The changes will eventually make all minor roads linking the beach road and the parallel Rat-U-Tit 200 Pi Road one-way. At present, motorists have to cross to the wrong side of the road, the right side, to negotiate most connecting roads.
From December 30, Khun Prab said, existing renters will be restricted to five metre by five metre spaces to promote their businesses and park vehicles.
The seven designated areas will be in front of Patong Merlin, Holiday Inn, Baan Laimai, Banthai, Patong Seafood, Mc Donalds, and Loma Park.
Phuket's Governor Tri, Mayor Pian Keesin, Khun Prab, Patong police and representatives of the renters and other businesses have been engaged in a series of meetings to reach agreement on improvements to the monopolisation of Patong's prime beach road parking spots by commercial interests.
Latest Earthworks that have placed electricity and telephone lines underground - and driven away some tourists in the process - are almost at an end, says the Mayor of Karon beach.
Karon's Construction Era 'Almost at an End'
Phuket's Beaches: How to Find the Best One
Holiday Special Spending New Year on a Phuket beach is a popular choice for many people who choose to flee the wintry cold of other parts. Here's a brief user's guide.
Phuket's Beaches: How to Find the Best One
Phuket Retailers, Hospitals Offer Tsunami Support
Latest A memorandum of understanding with big retailers and among hospitals in response to a disaster on Phuket was the highlight of a drill close to the anniversary of the 2004 tsunami.
Phuket Retailers, Hospitals Offer Tsunami Support
Phuket Governor Reassures Tourists on Tsunami
Latest Predictions of a tsunami have led to Phuket's governor issuing a statement citing the precautions now being taken to provide adequate warnings in the unlikely event of another big wave.
Phuket Governor Reassures Tourists on Tsunami
> The lines of tuk-tuks [...] will also no
> longer be there.
I will believe this when I see it for longer than one week.
Posted by Fritz Pinguin on December 25, 2010 14:07