Bus and truck curfew in place for Patong Hill

Following the sucession of accidents involving buses and trucks in recent months, Traffic Police have placed official restrictions on access to Patong over the notorious Patong Hill for during certain hours of the day.

Buses carrying 21 passengers or more, 10-wheel trucks, as well as trailers, won’t be allowed on Patong hill (Phra Baramee Road) from 6 am to 9 am and from 4 pm to 11 pm. This includes the route from Wichtsongkram Road in Kathu, across the hill and down to the base of the road in Patong.

The curfew was integrated into local traffic law on August 17.

Authorities suggest that prohibited vehicles avoid the Patong Hill by using roads through Kata/Karon or through Surin and Kamala (we’re sure the residents in these towns will be delighted).

If the number of accidents aren’t reduced by creating these new routes, the provincial authorities are planning for passengers from buses will need to be transferred into mini-vans or smaller vehicles for the rest of their transfer into Patong.