Min of Transport tackles traffic congestion in tourist destinations

BANGKOK, 14 April 2015 (NNT)-The Ministry of Transport has implemented measures to lessen traffic snarls at tourist destinations around Thailand.

Transport Minister General Prajin Juntong said additional road construction has been carried out to handle rising traffic congestion in tourist spots.

The work consists of road expansions, u-turn bridges, tunnels and other improvements. One of the latest transport developments is a new tunnel, which was recently completed, under Darasamut intersection in Phuket. The large underpass is now open to drivers.

The Department of Highways has been given a budget allocation to improve the transport system. It will also build two other tunnels in Phuket, hoping to relieve the worst traffic jams in the province.

Meanwhile, the Department of Rural Roads (DRR) has proposed to the Ministry of Transport a logistics development project in Chiang Rai.

The project is aimed at upgrading roads in the city and its surrounding area which the DRR claims will help reduce traveling times.


-- NNT 2015-04-14

More U turn "bridges"? So now you only have to go two kilometers out of your way instead of four. How about removing the highway dividers in front of hospitals for starters?

Other than the ill-advised tunnel, no road construction is being done in Pattaya that I've noticed and most of the roads are a mess. So much could easily be done: add connecting roads everywhere; make more and better placed U turn lanes and get them out of the main traffic road--so many U turns require the car to stop in the high speed traffic lane while waiting to U turn--so dangerous; widen traffic intersections to allow double turning lanes and longer left turn lanes; eliminate parking on Pattaya Beach Road and expand the sidewalk on the shop side while installing decorative fencing on both sides to stop walkers from crossing the street wherever they want--traffic would flow much better; permanently eliminate vehicles on Walking Street; get started on a public bus system; restrict parking on all Pattaya streets to vehicles with 4 wheels or less; make traffic and illegal parking fines steep and hire meter maids and traffic police to visibly ticket violators; get the traffic lights working and add more; install modern, easier to read street signs. Well, I can dream...

In other news today, country roads are no longer bumpy, roadside trash has been eliminated, and Bangkok traffic signals have been synchronized. I'm starting to get the hang of it, I think.

Build some freaking roads already.

Additional measures to those listed above regarding Pattaya:

clear streets of motorbikes for hire to free up parking spots;

stop businesses placing parking restrictions in front of their stores;

clear metal drying racks that occupy parking spaces - especially at night.

The land of OUT OF TOWN potholes. Dont ride a bike at night

is there a Thai word for city planning?

Did they prevent a touchdown?