One Way In Lamai Today

[mark lamai]

yep they are doing here now.

killing a mosquito with a sledgehammer

its one way driving from the bridge up to Outback bar and up the road to the ring road.

so like chaweng its a very long circuit to get around.

ummmmm ....

whats the problem?

cars! specially taxis and songthaews driving at 5kph and parked pickups.

cars often cannot pass each other.

solution..

why not just make it one way for motor vehicles.

all the motorbikes going 2 ways would be no problem and make life easier for everybody.

[limbos]

Did anybody remember to inform the Thai population about the one way system in Lamai?

[OlRedEyes]

Did anybody remember to inform the Thai population about the one way system in Lamai?

Why, would they care?

[churchill]

I think most locals knew that it had been planned - A good idea , I think -I understand that they will try for 3 months to see if it works before making it permament .

They should also make some official Taxi ranks both in Lamai and Chaweng and stop empty taxis cruising around and parking where ever they want .

It would not be a good idea to let motor bikes drive the wrong way up a one way street - There are already enough bad driving habits without encouarging more !

[sbk]

They are trying to do a one way in the old town in Thong Sala here on Koh Phangan as the street is way too narrow for two trucks to pass. But, I guess it doesn't apply to motorbikes and as the only notice is a small arrow with a line across it at the stop light (that everyone runs) most farang don't know its a one way and a few Thais don't care. (most don't go in tho). Also, it must be pointed out that an equal number of Thais and Farangs feel it is alright to run the red light on their motorbikes. Before the New Year the police issued quite a few tickets to both farang and Thais alike who ran the red light right in front of him!

[Lite Beer]

A good idea that should have been done a long time ago. However, as only about 60% are actually taking any notice of it (Thais and Farang) with no police in sight. It has only made things worse. At least before you knew it was chaos. Now because it has unclogged the road a little, the idiots can go even faster, and the wrong way down a one way street.

Unless it is enforced they might as well go back to the previous system .

As usual in Samui a total cock up.

[Mark Wolfe]

A good idea that should have been done a long time ago.

Wrong. A bad idea that has no merit. The traffic situation has become bottlenecked for only about a week or so over the last year in Lamai. The problem was parked cars on the road and this created problems only on the few highest season bubbles. What could possibly be the point during mid or low season when there few vehicles on the road? What is the point now since the wave of tourists (at least those on two and four wheels) are gone? Why have it one way in the morning and afternoon when the road is nearly deserted?

Here are the downsides to the one way decision:

1. Shop owners near the beginning of the one way section will suffer as there is no way for a motorist to backtrack -- to pass a shop and then decided to turn back to have a look involves going halfway to the end of the beach road, traveling all the way up the main road, circling back and starting over.

1A. Motorists are inconvenienced. A holiday should entail ease of transport, not a slog.

1B. Motorists will naturally go back the wrong way if they see something that they missed and want to check out (think girly bars at night), which will make things interesting.

2. The right turn motorists must make at the intersection of the main to return to the 'beginning' of the beach road is dangerous. Oncoming traffic is blinded by a left curve before the intersection and speeds on the main road there are upwards of 60kph. I never really liked making that turn at any time, but now everyone who wishes to return to the beach road must take it. It is, to use and old saw, an accident(s) waiting to happen.

There may be more problems here as well.

What I want to know is this: Where can a person go to lodge a complaint that might actually be listened to?

(On an unrelated topic, unless abject stupidity is the subject here, why are all the street lights off, save 19 in a row by the scenic lookout, between Lamai and Chaweng (and on to the airport)? The winding, hilly road is somewhat exciting at night in the pitch dark. Given that the roads open up without warning from day to day to reveal crevices which are filled in sometimes to create bumps, tackling this in the dark without lights is madness.)

Edited January 22, 2007 by Mark Wolfe

[limbos]

Mark,

The one way system works in Pattaya, why shouldn't it work in Chaweng or Lamai?

[Rooo]

Mark,

The one way system works in Pattaya, why shouldn't it work in Chaweng or Lamai?

It's the same as anything, a change takes time to adjust to. It has worked in Nathon too for many years & you hardly see anyone there driving the wrong way.I know police presence there is heavier,it just takes time.

There are many short cuts you can take in Lamai so you won't have to go all the way around.

[Mark Wolfe]

First, Lamai isn't Pattaya, in any sense. Second, "getting used" to a situation that is foolish is a fool's endeavor.

None of you address my concerns regarding saftey at the main road or the strange nature of making a beach road one way when it is clearly not busy enough for that.

I would have no problem with a seasonal one way decision, but this is madness.

Oh, and I love the idea of funneling all the drunks onto the main road (read high speeds), which everyone is after about 12 midnight. If you don't live here to see the way it works (or doesn't) then come on over and check it out.

[adaminsamui]

Well the problem is still that people are not using the one way system and travelling the wrong way! which makes the situation worst! but from a friend of mine the police will start to re inforce the one way system from next week, with a nice 400 THB for anyone caught going the wrong way! but i did suggest it would be a good idea if they put signs all along the road explaining the one way system and also road markings, but that would make to much sense.

[mark lamai]

just a note about unusual occcurrence this morning at 4 am

riding wrong way on main road outside Fusion there was a copper,

he waved me down,

but my bike refused to stop as i mumbled alai wah..

so maybe they will be out at odd times looking for some ready cash.

keep a keen eye, if they want 400 baht as someone mentioned its worth avoiding.

[sbk]

just a note about unusual occcurrence this morning at 4 am

riding wrong way on main road outside Fusion there was a copper,

he waved me down,

but my bike refused to stop as i mumbled alai wah..

so maybe they will be out at odd times looking for some ready cash.

keep a keen eye, if they want 400 baht as someone mentioned its worth avoiding.

topics merged, no need to start an entirely new thread.

[Rooo]

just a note about unusual occcurrence this morning at 4 am

riding wrong way on main road outside Fusion there was a copper,

he waved me down,

but my bike refused to stop as i mumbled alai wah..

so maybe they will be out at odd times looking for some ready cash.

keep a keen eye, if they want 400 baht as someone mentioned its worth avoiding.

Now Mark,until now I thought you were a sensible guy. Now look back at what you have posted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So what happens if I hit you head on?

Mate if the powers to be change the law,to the benefit of the MAJORITY well that's how it goes.

A renegade at 4 AM on a bike??????????????? I really don't want to meet.

I know you were sober But then you wonder what was I doing at 4 AM , probably trying to save someone from driving home.

Edited January 28, 2007 by Rooo

[Mark Wolfe]

The point is, surely, is this one-way situation necessary?

The answer is, for 50 weeks out of the year, no.

I took someone to the airport a few days ago on the 6am flight. On the way back, I thought I would go into Lamai town as I am never there that early. There were still some partiers at the bar across from Super Sub and various drunk people stumbling around. Interestingly, the ones who were most ignoring the one-way designation were the motorcycle taxi drivers. Can't imagine a cop pulling over one of them for anything.

So, we have sober or drunk people ignoring the new designation, sober or drunk people being funneled onto the main road at a dangerous blind turn (onto a road where the Thai youths hold sway with drag racing and other youthful pursuits), a one-way designation that isn't needed at all in the first place and a situation where business owners get one shot at cruising customers.

I notice that more vehicles are now parking on the side of road, effectively bottle necking traffic in spots, thus rendering the one-way ineffectual.

So, again, what I want to know is this: Where can a person go to lodge a complaint that might actually be listened to?

Edited January 29, 2007 by Mark Wolfe

[churchill]

The point is, surely, is this one-way situation necessary?

The answer is, for 50 weeks out of the year, no.

I took someone to the airport a few days ago on the 6am flight. On the way back, I thought I would go into Lamai town as I am never there that early. There were still some partiers at the bar across from Super Sub and various drunk people stumbling around. Interestingly, the ones who were most ignoring the one-way designation were the motorcycle taxi drivers. Can't imagine a cop pulling over one of them for anything.

So, we have sober or drunk people ignoring the new designation, sober or drunk people being funneled onto the main road at a dangerous blind turn (onto a road where the Thai youths hold sway with drag racing and other youthful pursuits), a one-way designation that isn't needed at all in the first place and a situation where business owners get one shot at cruising customers.

I notice that more vehicles are now parking on the side of road, effectively bottle necking traffic in spots, thus rendering the one-way ineffectual.

So, again, what I want to know is this: Where can a person go to lodge a complaint that might actually be listened to?

If you want something done speak to the major of the village - I think in the end the local Thai people decide .

[sbk]

If you want something done speak to the major of the village - I think in the end the local Thai people decide .

Do you mean the village headman or puyaibahn? I don't think he or she has much authority over the traffic patterns in Lamai. Transportation Dept or Police Dept would be a better bet.

[churchill]

If you want something done speak to the major of the village - I think in the end the local Thai people decide .

Do you mean the village headman or puyaibahn? I don't think he or she has much authority over the traffic patterns in Lamai. Transportation Dept or Police Dept would be a better bet.

Yes village headman - I think the transport police take note of local concerns - and I imagine the local headman may take more note of locals views and if he is convinced would have more influence with transport dept than a Farang .

[Malice in Wonderland]

Seems to be working fine apart from the lack of policing - e.g. why isn't there a officer on duty on a saturday night near the lady-boxing??. This seems to be when the system is roundly ignored. Maybe if those who owned cars drove them tight to the right kerb then the t***s that ignore the one way system might have to think twice about doing it again.After all,a clash between a scooter and a pick-up is only going to have one outcome....

[Mark Wolfe]

Soon after the "regulation" (or was it just some wooden signs set up) went into effect, the Thais, bless their souls, showed all the tourists by example that the one-way "rule" was one to be broken. At first, more than 9 out of 10 motorcyclists going the wrong way were Thais. Nowadays, thankfully, there is no lawbreaking bias and everyone does it. I have never seen or heard of any law enforcement on this issue. I hope that the police have better things to do that hand out tickets for a stupid law that no one pays any attention to (except for those foreigners from places where road signs compel them to obey).

Someone ought to get Chang fortified and go out one night and take away the few signs that haven't disappeared already.

Do everyone a favor.

[Rooo]

Soon after the "regulation" (or was it just some wooden signs set up) went into effect, the Thais, bless their souls, showed all the tourists by example that the one-way "rule" was one to be broken. At first, more than 9 out of 10 motorcyclists going the wrong way were Thais. Nowadays, thankfully, there is no lawbreaking bias and everyone does it. I have never seen or heard of any law enforcement on this issue. I hope that the police have better things to do that hand out tickets for a stupid law that no one pays any attention to (except for those foreigners from places where road signs compel them to obey).

Someone ought to get Chang fortified and go out one night and take away the few signs that haven't disappeared already.

Do everyone a favor.

Troll....................................

[Lite Beer]

Soon after the "regulation" (or was it just some wooden signs set up) went into effect, the Thais, bless their souls, showed all the tourists by example that the one-way "rule" was one to be broken. At first, more than 9 out of 10 motorcyclists going the wrong way were Thais. Nowadays, thankfully, there is no lawbreaking bias and everyone does it. I have never seen or heard of any law enforcement on this issue. I hope that the police have better things to do that hand out tickets for a stupid law that no one pays any attention to (except for those foreigners from places where road signs compel them to obey).

Someone ought to get Chang fortified and go out one night and take away the few signs that haven't disappeared already.

Do everyone a favor.

Troll....................................

Well said Roo.

If there was proper policing of this problem then the nuckleheads(Thai and Farang) who insist on breaking this law would be stopped and the one way system would work perfectly for the benefit of everyone.

Having said that, if it is not going to be enforced then it might as well be scrapped then we could go back to the chaos it was before.

[Mark Wolfe]

if it is not going to be enforced then it might as well be scrapped then we could go back to the chaos it was before.

Chaos? Do you even live in Lamai? On a few instances during peak seasons, the traffic can get slowed, but for the most part it is fine, and nowhere near chaotic. Moreover, there is NEVER a problem in the mornings or afternoons.

It's like this: If the police ordered everyone walking on the beach road to wear a wool hat, and people started not to do this, then no one did, would we be back to "chaos"? The "regulation" was not needed in the first place.

[churchill]

I think the system is working . There is a lot less trafic both in Lamai and Chaweng making more pleasant for tourists walking . The only problem in Lamai still is motorbikes going the wrong way , which will cause accidents unless the police start fining .

[Lite Beer]

if it is not going to be enforced then it might as well be scrapped then we could go back to the chaos it was before.

Chaos? Do you even live in Lamai?

Lived in for Lamai for 3 1/2 years.

This well needed system would work if it was enforced . If it is not it might as well be done away with.

Any way I am off to Khon Kaen in 2 weeks so good luck to you all.

The only problems up there are cows wandering in the road.

[Mark Wolfe]

The only problems up there are cows wandering in the road.

I hope for the sake of avoiding chaos the local police are enforcing the one-way for cows law up there.