Phuket Thailand - One-way traffic

MajorTom · #1 21-04-2007, 16:41

The Phuket Gazette reports from 2 different surveys recently, that one is for and the other against.
Phuket Gazette - online English newspaper for Phuket, Thailand, with daily news, classified ads, yellow pages, business listings, upcoming events, event calendar, phuket events

Lets do one here.

midnightsun1 · #2 21-04-2007, 17:29

get the road that runs behind jungceylon open and make it one way. keep beach rd one way, and let rat-u- thit be two way. total pain in the ass when you need to get on the north end of rat-u-thit.

since you have taken the time to set this up. sure hope u submit the results to the phuket governor. probably a much better survey done here. just guessing the previous survey hit the 2-3 week tourist mostly, this may have more of reflect on people who live and stay here and that use the road system daily.

need a baht bus system.

Coolhand · #3 21-04-2007, 20:12

I have heard that there have been fewer accidents, since the scheme was introduced. If this is true, I vote its a good thing; although I admit it can be improved - like what's the deal with driving on the wrong side of the road on Bangla and the other two-way streets between Beach Road and Rat-U-Thit?

Lightemup · #4 21-04-2007, 20:28

I got fined for going the wrong way on Beach road one night, like i went 5 meters, because I went too far, with no other traffic in sight at 0230 one night......Needless to say, a MIB jumped out from behind a tree and blew his whistle, what a cnut.

I say back to the way it was before...

MajorTom · #5 21-04-2007, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolhand

like what's the deal with driving on the wrong side of the road on Bangla and the other two-way streets between Beach Road and Rat-U-Thit?

As long as the "one way circle" runs clockwise, its the best way to do it.
Easier to enter and exit the main roads from the connecting sois.

Robaht · #6 21-04-2007, 21:03

I think it works with the one-way system, but as soon as the road between Nanai and Rat-u-tit is completed it will ease the congestion that was inevitable on Rat-u-tit, which probably sparked the idea for the one-way in the first place.

It will never happen my friends, but I wish they would go back to the old way. It is way too inconvenient to get around Patong on my motorbike now!!

ps. I heard Samui is trying the same thing and it is not working well either...but only hearsay...

oneday · #7 21-04-2007, 21:18

Wouldn't the answer be somewhat different from someone who drives as opposed to someone who doesn't?

As someone who didn't drive I found it comfortable when crossing Rat-u-tit to Bangla that I only had to look one way. On the other hand if I drove then I can see how the opposite view could be taken.

ATMwalking · #8 21-04-2007, 21:46

<RANT>

I hate it. Now takes as long to go from Chalong to Patong as Patong to parking. I think it is more dangerous as the motorbikes are more wild. The blending of traffic from the side streets is also more dangerous. Half the time i forget to drive on the wrong side for the in between streets...frickin' madness. The latest beach revamp turned beach road into one lane (factoring in tuk tuks) so beach road is a real bottle neck. New bypass road would help when the south end is done.

I'm actually really tired of all the roads in phuket. Just drove on the new road connecting Katu and Chalong. Disappointed in how crappy and bumpy it is. And routing all that traffic through the university campus and village ona 2 lane road full of speed bumps is just dumb.

Chaofa Rd. West is a scarry nightmare. Would be so nice if they finished the road, painted lines, and put in prper street lights.

Going up to the airport is always a bit concerning with the turn arounds and pillions in the middle of the road.

The only road that is almost ok is the one running from Lotus over to Katu. Well lit and fairly smooth, but still a little narrow.

Still in withdrawal over my Chiang Mai / Singapore hop. Why is it so hard to get decent and safe roads in phuket.

</RANT>

dawsey · #9 21-04-2007, 22:09

As a pedestrian, I find the one way system is a big improvement to get across the roads. But I do understand the frustration for drivers who have to circumnavigate around Rat u Thit and the Beach Rd to maybe get a few hundred metres back.
It also appears that the one way system was a good excuse for the tuk tuk drivers to raise their prices

Pretty extortionate rates now to cover short distances.

MajorTom · #10 21-04-2007, 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneday

Wouldn't the answer be somewhat different from someone who drives as opposed to someone who doesn't?

As someone who didn't drive I found it comfortable when crossing Rat-u-tit to Bangla that I only had to look one way. On the other hand if I drove then I can see how the opposite view could be taken.

Yes, you have a point. This might be convenient if you dont drive at all.
And its not like those who drive, never walk across the road. Most drivers will experience both sides.

Captain · #11 22-04-2007, 01:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsey

As a pedestrian, I find the one way system is a big improvement to get across the roads. But I do understand the frustration for drivers who have to circumnavigate around Rat u Thit and the Beach Rd to maybe get a few hundred metres back.
It also appears that the one way system was a good excuse for the tuk tuk drivers to raise their prices

Pretty extortionate rates now to cover short distances.

I agree 200%

Nicke · #12 22-04-2007, 04:12

I like the one-way system, better flow and no risk of heads-on collisions. But my normal driving pattern in Patong suit me fine, I do understand for some people with different driving pattern it may be very bad.

The new routes dont affect me much, hence happy.

MrDK · #13 22-04-2007, 04:45

From my little experience during my last 5 day trip to Phuket, I tend to believe that it has been a good thing.

K2 · #14 22-04-2007, 14:05

50:50 split so far ... Personally I dont like it ... I'd hate it even more if it wasnt for the new road behind Jungceylon being opened up to San Sabai. as ever the whole thing is poorly thought out ... how TF do they expect pedestrians to cross the road opposite Tai Pan/Rio when they put cones and barriers there ... just plain daft thinking and if they put speed bumps or lights there the Ratthuthit will get clogged up pretty fast. What should have happened (but maybe never will) is the potentail Bangla Rd II through Sukhumvit Road - back of Sea Dragon behing Soi Eric etc down to beach road but the 3 land owners dont see the potential of having a 2nd Bangla and scander the chance to have a sensible flow through the heart of Patong.

(Sorry - bit of a rant).

LivinLOS · #15 22-04-2007, 14:19

I hate it.. And I wonder how many of the people voting to keep it ever drive it ?? Of course pedestrian votes should count but it should be people who are BOTH pedestrian and drivers to be a balanced result IMO.

From a motorists point of view to get from most A to most B's now your journey is way longer.. Sometimes double or triple or worse.. Yes traffic flow is faster (is that a good thing) but as most journeys are now longer it takes longer to get from A to B anyway. Miss that parking space cos a tuktuk is right behind you then your screwed, wanna go 100m the other way screwed.

From a non motorists point of view traffic flow is faster, crossing the road is harder and more dangerous. Tuktuk prices are higher (due to longer distances driven)..

So unless you count faster traffic flow purely for faster traffic flows sake (it doesnt save average journey time) I am struggling to find an upside.. Very Thai style, first glance it looks good but works badly.

billpay · #16 22-04-2007, 15:07

For me, personally, it makes it much tougher to get around....a 2 minute motorbike ride can now take ten minutes. But my point of view is....so what?....takes a little longer to get around on motorbike....especially if I want to go to North end of Rat-U-Thit. What I have noticed is that traffic flows much more quickly and smoothly through town. At peak times before the change, it used to take me up to 20 minutes to drive from the bottom of the Kathu hill to hotel....this was in a car. Now this same trip never even takes ten minutes. Between four and six pm, Rat-U-Thit traffic barely moved. So, overall, I think it works better.

LivinLOS · #17 22-04-2007, 15:30

I would agree Bill that Kathu hill to your hotel is improved, but thats kind of a best case scenario.. Direct along the flow of one way.. Karon to the the Hotel would the traffic flow speed lower journey time ??

Of course more important is finishing the bypass road past Jungceylon.. Get that flowing smooth and the through traffic on beach Rd and Rat U Thit will sort itself out..

steve@thaib · #18 22-04-2007, 18:40

My only three thoughts:

1 As a pedestrian, it is 'king scary trying to cross Rathutit now; it's like a damn race track and all the traffic lights, which used to give you a fighting chance, are no longer in action so the flow is constant.

2 The bike 'taxis' now want double because they have to drive twice as far to get back to base. They have a fair point, IMO, and it's a price hike I can't argue with.

3 On the road, it seems to work. On a bike, getting around town is a breeze and the congestion seems to have cleared up.

Conclusion? It works, but I really don't like it.

billpay · #19 23-04-2007, 12:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

I would agree Bill that Kathu hill to your hotel is improved, but thats kind of a best case scenario.. Direct along the flow of one way.. Karon to the the Hotel would the traffic flow speed lower journey time ??

Of course more important is finishing the bypass road past Jungceylon.. Get that flowing smooth and the through traffic on beach Rd and Rat U Thit will sort itself out..

The time for me coming from the South is only a minute or two more as I now take that bypass road even though it is a mess....if I take Nanai and come down, it's about a five minute longer drive than before.

LivinLOS · #20 23-04-2007, 12:20

Yeah I also have started with using the bypass Rd.. Tho my little motor doesnt like the potholes as a pickup would.. Once that road completes it will be a huge burden of through traffic off the Rat U Thit and beach Rds.. Also massive land value changes for that roadside !!

I also see what its done to Nanai Rd.. Big busses short cutting Karon to the Kathu side temple via Nanai and Phisaat Karonee.. Since the intro of one way system nanai has got even madder..

I guess whats most frustrating is the solutions seem so simple.. Sort the through road first and foremost, set aside land for parking, set baht bus loops, maybe combine those last two into a park and ride system.. Get rid of beach road rentals..

K2 · #21 23-04-2007, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

I guess whats most frustrating is the solutions seem so simple.. Sort the through road first and foremost, set aside land for parking, set baht bus loops, maybe combine those last two into a park and ride system.. Get rid of beach road rentals..

Ah ... we can but dream LiL

ATMwalking · #22 23-04-2007, 14:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by K2

Ah ... we can but dream LiL

Wasn't there a rumor of Phuket being sold to Singapore. Maybe they could just lease it for a while. Get Singapore to fix the roads.

K2 · #23 23-04-2007, 15:19

May have not been such a bad idea - perhaps leasing Phuket to Singapore for 30 years with another 30 + 30 option.

Much like the British left a positive legacy for Singapore and Honk Kong - it would have have potentailly done wonders to Phuket to have decent transparent gorvernance, planning with vision and the massive investment that would have resulted.

Nationalism is grossly overated in Global Village Earth

.

midnightsun1 · #24 23-04-2007, 16:03

Just curious on what the business have lost in revenue, going North on Rat-u-Thit where San Nam Yen intersects? Because of the huge hassle of having to travel all the way around.

Once the by pass road is completed behind Jungcelyon it makes sense to me to make that the one way road and Rat-u-Thit back to two way. The one way would have no effect on any businesses. Nothing has been built yet. Any thoughts?