Safety first for Phuket Bike Week

[webfact]

Safety first for Phuket Bike Week
Supatra Sutham


Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayayapongtada (centre, right) recives a gift bag at the meeting on Friday (Mar 18). Photo: Thanapong Khao-Amphaiphan

PHUKET: -- Ensuring road safety and that VIPs are treated appropriately will be top priorities for officials on the island during Phuket Bike Week 2016, with more than 10,000 motorcycles and over 50,000 visitors from 30 countries expected to take part in the annual event.

Phuket Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada gave the directive at a meeting at Provincial Hall on Friday (Mar 18).

“It is great to hear that many people will join the event. I hope all bikers have been warned of the conditions of our roads and the many road constructions sites across the island. They need to know which roads they should use, and which ones they should avoid,” Gov Chamroen.said.

“Every year, we focus on road safety campaign again and tell people to keep their helmets on while on riding on Phuket roads.

“We want to push Phuket to be a top-quality tourist spot where everyone respects the law. I think that maybe it is time to take down all the old helmet-education campaign signs and make sure that police fine all people who break traffic laws,” he added.

The directive for police to clamp down on traffic violations follows the March 1 announcement by the Royal Thai Police that its related divisions – Tourist Police, Traffic Police, Strategy Division, Foreign Affairs Division, all in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and the Department of Highways – will be ramping up their efforts to curtail wayward motorists.

The strict enforcement is to cover 10 key traffic rules and regulations: driving on footpaths; driving without a license; driving against the traffic (“ghost” driving/riding); not giving way to pedestrians at crossings; driving without wearing a seatbelt/helmet; careless or inconsiderate driving; driving under the influence/driving while intoxicated; illegal car accessorising; and parking in a prohibited space.

The move came in response to the Royal Thai Government’s announcement in late January requesting the Royal Thai Police to tighten law enforcement on traffic rules and regulations across the country, as part of the broader effort to upgrade safety and security standards, and to boost trust and confidence among the public.

Governor Chamroen also called on police to co-ordinate resources to ensure that motorcades of motorcycles arriving across Thao Thepkrasattri Bridge are checked for security reasons, but cleared in an appropriate and timely manner.

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/safety-first-for-phuket-bike-week-56689.php


-- Phuket News 2016-03-21

[arithai12]

"PHUKET BIKE WEEK 2016 “ASEAN Ride Together”, the legendary event in Asia, will celebrate the 22nd anniversary on 8th -16th April 2016. This event will be the large gathering of motorcyclists, esxpecting to draw over 10,000 motorcycles, 50,000 visitors from 30 countries to Phuket. The excitement will take place in Patong Beach on 8th -10th April 2016 and in Phuket Town on 15th-16th April 2016."

Brilliant timing.

[stevenl]

"PHUKET BIKE WEEK 2016 “ASEAN Ride Together”, the legendary event in Asia, will celebrate the 22nd anniversary on 8th -16th April 2016. This event will be the large gathering of motorcyclists, esxpecting to draw over 10,000 motorcycles, 50,000 visitors from 30 countries to Phuket. The excitement will take place in Patong Beach on 8th -10th April 2016 and in Phuket Town on 15th-16th April 2016."

Brilliant timing.

Yes, it is, many visitors during those days.

[Lupatria]

Is that why they want to restrict foreign vehicles with a new 2 weeks in advance application form from entering the country?

[Lokie]

Bike weeks great don't get me wrong but if the Gov is warning which roads to avoid, and every year we focus on Road Safety blah blah blah, then how would you arrive into Patong? at a busy period. Helmet or not its an hair raising ride for sure - Whacky Races anyone...?

1 Patong Hill -Cement Trucks and runaway Tour buses (Sorry Brake Fade...)

2. Via Surin/beach rd route (Kamikazi Minivans)

3. Karon pot hole hill, while dicing with Tuks Tuks, minivans and Pick ups

Take your pick

[NCC1701A]

“We want to push Phuket to be a top-quality tourist spot where everyone respects the law."

hahahaha

"Ensuring road safety and that VIPs are treated appropriately"

hahahaha

"I hope all bikers have been warned of the conditions of our roads"

hahahaha

"They need to know which roads they should use, and which ones they should avoid,”

hahahaha

“Every year, we focus on road safety campaign again and tell people to keep their helmets on while on riding on Phuket roads."

hahahaha

“We want to push Phuket to be a top-quality tourist spot where everyone respects the law and that VIPs are treated appropriately. I hope all bikers have been warned which ones they should avoid."

Edited March 21, 2016 by NCC1701A

[fester the benevolent]

Ensuring road safety and that VIPs are treated appropriately will be top priorities for officials on the island during Phuket Bike Week 2016

Well, his top priorities are clearly EXACTLY why people trying to recapture a memory or fleeting whiff of bike counter-culture and rebellion chose Phuket for their bike week... Nothing screams "Easy Rider" like getting shunted off the road so a cavalcade of toyotas with flashing lights can zip through the nasty bits of Phuket's pitiful road system.

If by 'appropriately' he means tarred and feathered then fair enough because otherwise enforced grovelling to some trumped-up local honchos is not really the point of a bike week.

They should boycott the island based on this and the abject condition of local roads. Khao Lak or Phang Nga or somewhere would probably make them actually feel welcome and provide a much more bike-friendly place to ride with much nicer scenery.