Phuket Opinion: Bracing for a decade of traffic woes

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Opinion: Bracing for a decade of traffic woes
The Phuket News

The current traffic trends, and problems, in Phuket are likely to persist fro the coming decade. Photo: The Phuket News / file

PHUKET: The fast-track signing last week of construction contracts for two more underpass projects underlines the government’s strategy to “address” Phuket’s worsening traffic.

Several “public hearings” were held over the past few years to justify the two projects – at Chalong Circle and Bang Khu Junction – which together will cost taxpayers no less than B1.15 billion over the next two years. (See latest update here.)

At those hearings, successive governors, mayors, engineers and representatives from the Highways Department – among other stakeholders – were reported to be in agreement that such projects were necessary, that the “short-term pain would be worth the long-term gain”.

Absent at the hearings, however, were any “independent” urban planners qualified to provide an objective assessment about the actual causes and most practical solutions to Phuket’s traffic problems, and whether or not such roadworks would be the most effective tact in tackling traffic woes.

Also not represented at the hearings was the voice of the majority of voters in a recent Phuket News poll about solving Phuket’s traffic woes.

In that poll, votes for a reformed bus network (28 per cent) were significantly more than those for the Chalong underpass (17pc), and more than 20 times those for the Bang Khu underpass (1pc). (See poll report here.)

When asked in a recent interview with The Phuket News TV about how to fix the island’s traffic problems, the late Paiboon Upatising responded humbly that a subway would be the only practical way forward, especially considering Phuket’s soaring land values.

The former Senator championed Phuket City’s existing version of public transport – the iconic pink Po Thong buses – which though undependable for most white-collar workers, are always packed with local commuters.

Perhaps in a decade, a portion of an estimated 70,000 residents who commute daily between Phuket City and surrounding locales will have the option of using the planned light-rail system… perhaps.

Meanwhile, according to projections from the Land Transport Department’s Phuket Office, a total of 8,097 new cars are expected to be registered in Phuket in 2015, in addition to 15,989 motorbikes.

That’s 24,000+ new vehicles that weren’t on our roads last year.

As for the coming decade, The Phuket News forecasts current traffic trends to persist – unless, of course priorities and policies are objectively reconsidered. We won’t be holding our breaths.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-opinion-bracing-for-a-decade-of-traffic-woes-53553.php

-- Phuket News 2015-08-09

[Somtamnication]

Oh well. It's their island. Let them do what they want. More laughter for us in the future ( a decade full).

[NongKhaiKid]

Plus all the bus loads of Chinese tourists as promised by the TAT.

[useronthenet]

No amount of road improvements will solve Phuket's traffic problems. The infrustructure is too primative, and should be updated to allow for other transport alternatives. I suspect this will not happen, therefore I'm afraid traffic jams will become the norm for the foreseeable future.

[spidermike007]

Slightly off topic, but I wonder if they have ever even had a meeting about traffic woes on Koh Samui. Feels as if there is zero in the way of traffic mitigation or planning. Build, build, build, and somehow the little ring road will handle an unlimited amount of traffic. It is my prediction that all of Koh Samui will resemble the Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak area of Bali, within 10 years of so. Absolute gridlock.

Is anything being done to improve public transport on Samui? No. Is anything being done to create a rail or monorail system on the island? How about a public minivan system? No. How about public, natural gas buses? No. Nothing. Mayor Ramnate is doing what he does best. Next to nothing.

[robertthebruce]

If they had a decent ''Public Transport System'' or even a ''Light Rail'' or a decent ''Taxi Service'' i would not drive..

DRIVING ANYWHERE IN THAILAND IS DANGEROUS... ,

[NamKangMan]

Oh well. It's their island. Let them do what they want. More laughter for us in the future ( a decade full).

"More laughter for us in the future" - you don't hear much laughter coming from hospitals and morgues.

[NamKangMan]

If they had a decent ''Public Transport System'' or even a ''Light Rail'' or a decent ''Taxi Service'' i would not drive..

DRIVING ANYWHERE IN THAILAND IS DANGEROUS... ,

How many "would not drive" after drinking, if there was proper public transport here?

This is what would save so many lives here.

[Ulic]

I am sure all decision makers were rewarded for the decision and those responsible for awarding

contracts will also receive thick envelopes.