Phuket Bus Terminal 2: the saga continues

Under the current plan, this U-turn would have to accommodate all

northbound buses leaving Phuket Bus Terminal 2.

The Vanich Mansion on Thepkrasattri Road, home of the parents of

Democrat Party insider Anchalee Wanich-Thepabutr.

PHUKET: -- A plan by the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) to open its new provincial bus station by October 1 are in jeopardy because local residents oppose having buses do U-turns on Thepkrasattri Road, the Gazette has learned.

PLTO Chief Kanok Siripanichkorn told the Gazette last week that his office hoped to have the 128-million-baht facility in operation by October 1.

Work on Phuket Bus Terminal 2 was completed in December last year, but neither Rassada Municipality nor the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization, citing financial constraints, agreed to take over its day-to-day operation.

Mr Kanok told the Gazette last week that his agency would run the station itself until Rassada Municipality is ready for the task, but opposition to that plan is now coming from local residents.

The residents say its opening would endanger local residents because it would force departing buses to do U-turns on busy Thepkrasattri Road. They also noted that no public hearings were ever held on issues that would directly affect them.

Those opposed have posted large banners in the area that read “For the safety of local residents, don’t let buses U-turn here.”

Among the most notable local residents of the area are the Wanich family, whose estate sits right in front of the U-turn.

Phuket Provincial Office will now need to meet with the local residents and their leaders to try and find an equitable solution, but the process will delay the opening past the originally scheduled October 1 date, Mr Kanok said.

When the project was first put forward by the Transport Office it included plans to build a flyover that would have eliminated the need for large tour buses to do U-turns on Thepkrasattri Road, already Phuket’s longest and most deadly stretch of road.

That vital element of the project was never approved, however.

-- Phuket Gazette 2010-08-09

Hum, a planning and zoning commission, what's that?

Being proactive is not a strong point here. Beggars belief this whole issue was not thoroughly researched & a proper traffic management plan in place before construction even started.

This all comes down to the Wanich family not wanting busses turning outside thier mansion.. Its been the sticking point the whole time.

This all comes down to the Wanich family not wanting busses turning outside thier mansion.. Its been the sticking point the whole time.

They must have known this would be a problem before they built it. If not the planning was woefully inadequate.

They must have known this would be a problem before they built it. If not the planning was woefully inadequate.

Unfortunately .... situation normal, what planning ???

They must have known this would be a problem before they built it. If not the planning was woefully inadequate.

Unfortunately .... situation normal, what planning ???

You mean snafu?

This all comes down to the Wanich family not wanting busses turning outside thier mansion.. Its been the sticking point the whole time.

They must have known this would be a problem before they built it. If not the planning was woefully inadequate.

But thats assuming that anyone was informed of the planning !! Beyond of course paying some huge fat 'commission study' fee.

As it is the place started to get built and then the Wanich lot said 'not on my turf' by which time budgets and kickbacks had already taken place.. Hence it gets built, everyone gets to pile in the trough for grease money... But once its done they find a way to block it actually being used so they dont have to listen to those noisy buses pull away near the house.