Rain causes Patong Hill road landslide – again

PHUKET: The section of road on Patong Hill that was washed away by heavy rain last year has suffered another landslide, in the same place, after days of heavy rain soaking Phuket this week.

The section of road, just west of the Chinese shrine at the top of the hill, first collapsed during heavy rains last October, then again in early May with the advent of this year’s monsoon season.

Last night, the same site suffered another landslide, with the dislodged earth tumbling into a rubber plantation below.

No injuries were reported.

Phuket Highways Department workers have marked the danger area with warning signs for motorists. Vehicles heading from Patong to Phuket Town can still pass, but the road at that location is yet again closed down to just one lane.

“We have to wait for the rain to stop before we can make temporary repairs. We will make permanent repairs later,” said Phuket Highways Office Director Samak Luadwonghat.

The news of last night’s slide follows Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha in June requesting an emergency budget of 80 million baht to repair the road.

Governor Tri moved for the emergency budget as the road was deemed at high risk of collapsing due to the heavy annual monsoon-season rains.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong