Public to vote on park’s troubled bridge

PHUKET TOWN: The people of Phuket Town will vote to decide the future of a controversial bridge that was to be built as part of a 300-million-baht redevelopment of King Rama IX Park. Phuket Town Mayor Phummisak Hongsyok yesterday called for the referendum after talking to government officials and about 60 members of the Rak Suan Luang Club (RSLC) – the park, on Chao Fa Rd, is better known as Suan Luang Park. Club members have protested that the bridge, intended for pedestrians only, will be used as a shortcut by motorists and motorcyclists and destroy the tranquility of the park. No date has been set for the vote. Construction of the bridge began in December but has since been suspended. The plan to redevelop the park’s 352 rai also includes a car park, a botanic garden, an ecology study center and tennis, badminton and ta-kraw courts. A committee, including representatives from government sectors, the RSLC and park users, will oversee the vote by about 45,000 eligible residents.