Chalong Circle Rebuilt

Traffic jams at the former location of Chalong Circle have continued even after the five-way intersection was transformed last month with the installation of traffic lights. But highway officials say the situation is an improvement over the mammoth snarls that previously developed during peak periods around the circle.

“After we decided to change the Chalong five-way to be an intersection, the project was completed quickly and has been available since 24 September,” explained Termpun Noksang, assistant director of the Phuket Highway District. “The intersection now has problems with drivers getting confused on directions because the road to Chalong Bay looks like a main road even though we modified it as side street. When the light is green, it causes a traffic jam. However, we’re trying to solve this problem by making the appearance clearer for drivers so it’s easy to see the road. We might add something like guideposts on that road, too. Also, the other reason that driver are getting confused is that the road does not appear familiar to them. It will be better soon, and the traffic jam will decrease.
“Comparing before and after, both the old circle and new traffic lights face the same traffic jam situation,” Khun Terpun added. “But the new one is better. Even though it has traffic, it looks more nice and tidy than the old one, which looked busy.”

The Highway District agreed in a meeting on 8 September to remove the roundabout at Chalong Circle and install new signals at the intersection to relieve traffic. In addition, the road leading from the intersection to Chalong Pier would become a left-turn-only, with traffic for other directions routed to a U-turn pocket on the road south toward Rawai.

“The Phuket Highway District will start to demolish the roundabout at the Chalong five-way and construct a new intersection with concrete,” explained Saroj Suvinchai, director of the Phuket Highway District. “This project will make it comfortable for traffic, and drivers can pass through easily. After the project is done we will continue to evaluate it.”

Demolition of the circle and construction of the new intersection took two weeks.

— T.A.

Patong CCTV System to Get 26 New Cameras

Patong Municipality has announced the addition of 26 new closed-circuit TV camera, an upgrade to the existing city system of 16. The cameras, organized in a public-private sector partnership, will be set up along Patong Beach and Soi Bangla ahead of the coming high season.

“We plan to make a priority of safety and tourist confidence before tourists come in this high season,” said Pol. Col. Gangsonk Sonmoolnank. “Also, we will set up a patrol operation centre on the beach at Soi Bangla.

“Moreover, both the private sector and the municipality have cooperated on this project to add additional CCTV locations,” he continued. “In total, 26 CCTV cameras will be set up. Sixteen cameras are support by the private sector in Patong, and they’re currently being installed right now in Soi Bangla. Another 10 cameras provided by Patong municipality using 4 million baht from the city’s budget. They have been waiting for bidding first, and the process will be ready soon.”

When finished, the new CCTV camera installations will bring the city’s total coverage to 42 cameras. The security camera program was undertaken to provide the city with upgraded security, to make tourists and residents feel more secure and to assist with traffic flow.

— T.A.

Phuket Partiesfor Canandian Warship

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) threw a welcoming party to honour the arrival at Ao Makham’s deep water port of the Canadian warship HMCS Calgary, with 230 crew onboard, returning from duty in the Middle East.

Vuti Jiratkosol, managing director of Phuket SV & Associate Co., Ltd., and Phuket’s Canadian-consul designate, noted that the crew was given shore leave locally from 17-21 September. In addition, the ship received a new captain, with departing Commander Kelly B. Larkin replaced by Commander W. J. Quinn after a two-year tour on the ship. His Excellency David Sproule, Canada’s ambassador to Thailand, presided at the welcoming party.

“This is a great chance for us that have they chosen Phuket to be on the route of the ship’s holiday destinations,” Khun Vuti said. “This is one thing that can make tourists confident in the safety and security after the many problems that happened recently in Phuket. And I am sure that these navy personnel who come to visit Phuket this time will be impressed with both people and the environment of this island. I hope they would like to come back to Phuket again and would tell friends or their colleagues about how wonderful Phuket is.”

— W.K.