Patong’s traffic issues persist due to private road ownership

Patong’s traffic woes continue to frustrate local government agencies as Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri highlights the challenges faced due to private ownership of Soi Saensabai. The notorious Phuket street is known for traffic congestion and safety hazards and has seen several pedestrian injuries, including those involving foreign tourists.

The inability of Patong Municipality to impose any regulations or initiate improvements on this privately owned road remains a primary concern.

Chalermsak explained that the municipality’s attempts to alleviate these issues have been consistently thwarted by the fact that Soi Saensabai is privately owned.

“Patong Municipality has no authority to enforce rules or regulations on private property. We’ve requested a transfer of ownership, but they’ve declined, preventing us from planning any projects.”

Efforts to alleviate congestion, such as rerouting vehicles and implementing traffic control measures, have hit a dead end due to the road’s private status. While some local landowners are open to transferring their property to the municipality, the lack of unanimous agreement among all owners has stalled any potential progress.

Chalermsak elaborated on the situation, stating that without a complete handover of the land, any attempts to manage traffic or implement safety measures could lead to legal disputes. He also mentioned that this is not an isolated issue, as other privately owned roads in Patong, like Soi Baanzaan, face similar complaints due to traffic.

Hands tied

“I often hear complaints about motorbikes and cars clipping pedestrians. While some business owners want us to intervene, they haven’t transferred the land to the public. Without their consent, neither the police nor the municipality can act.”

Beyond traffic management, the municipality is also powerless to make infrastructural improvements such as road repairs or drainage installations to mitigate flooding. Chalermsak expressed his frustrations on the matter.

“I just do what I can to address the problem, but I cannot carry out projects or make necessary improvements.”

One significant safety concern is the lack of an emergency exit on Soi Saensabai, which poses considerable risks in crisis situations. Emergency services, including fire trucks, struggle to access the area, and despite filing a complaint, the municipality faces legal challenges from the private owner who insists there are no regulatory breaches.

As the tourism high season approaches, Chalermsak warned that traffic and safety issues could worsen without municipal control over these roads. He urged private landowners to cooperate with the municipality to ensure public safety, emphasising the limitations faced when dealing with private property.

“When problems arise, people turn to the municipality with complaints. But it’s important to understand the limitations we face when dealing with private property.”

The call for collaboration between private landowners and local government agencies remains crucial to addressing the ongoing challenges in Patong, reported Phuket News.