Poll: Most people want Soi Bangla closed to traffi

PHUKET: Just under two thirds of the voters in the latest Gazette online poll believe that Patong’s Soi Bangla should be closed to traffic and designated “pedestrians only”. But, interestingly, there was a considerable difference of opinion between foreigners and Thais. Participants in the poll were asked to vote on the statement “Soi Bangla should be closed to vehicles and made ‘pedestrians only!'” Of the foreign residents who responded, 71 percent agreed. But only 47 percent of the Thai participants favoured the idea. Sixty-three percent of the tourists and other visitors to Phuket were in favour. The poll follows the announcement that the Governor of Phuket, Chadej Insawang, had ordered government officers to study a proposal to ‘pedestrianize’ Patong’s best-known soi. Details of the proposal and its background can be found on page 3 of the mid-May issue of the Phuket Gazette.