Patong’s one-way system to change by year’s end

PHUKET: Plans to change the direction of Patong’s one-way traffic system in Phuket look set to go ahead by the end of this year, Patong Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup has confirmed.

“A public hearing was held on Friday to determine whether or not to change Patong’s traffic flow. I believe this could happen by the end of this year,” Mayor Chalermluck told the Phuket Gazette.

From the meeting it appeared that the majority of people in Patong wanted to reverse the one-way system, making traffic along the beachfront road southbound and traffic on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road northbound, the mayor said.

Also, most people at the meeting, held at the Patong Municipality offices, approved for all streets linking the beach road and Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road to be open to two-way traffic.

“The main reason we are considering reversing the traffic flow is because many people have complained that the current one-way system is not convenient,” explained Mayor Chalermluck, without elaborating.

“However, we still have to proceed with two more public hearings so that we can be sure the people of Patong are ready for the traffic changes. The next hearing will take place [at Patong Municipality] in about a week.”

The vote to change the traffic-flow at the meeting on Friday was nearly unanimous, said Patong Police Traffic Inspector Ekkarat Plaiduang.

“There were about 50 Patong residents at the hearing and about 90 per cent of them agreed with the proposed changes to the one-way system,” he told the Gazette.

“Though we still have to hold two more public hearings, I am confident that the people of Patong will vote in favor of the proposed traffic flow changes.”

— Chutharat Plerin