Patong Hill road set for major safety makeover in Phuket

The notorious Patong Hill road in Phuket is set to undergo a significant makeover aimed at enhancing safety and reducing the frequency of accidents, particularly on its steep slopes. This development comes as a response to mounting concerns and complaints from local inhabitants about the hazardous condition of the frequently used road.

The plan was unveiled after Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat and Phuket Highways Office Chief Yutthana Phitak, along with a delegation of officials, conducted a thorough inspection of the road yesterday. The initiative was triggered by residents who formally voiced their concerns about the road’s condition, which becomes perilously slick and slippery, especially during wet weather.

Expressing gratitude towards the residents for their active involvement, Governor Sophon revealed that the task of rectifying the road’s condition had been assigned to the Phuket Highways Office. The Kathu Municipality and the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) will be responsible for providing the necessary budget for the project.

Representatives from these organisations, including Kathu District Chief Theeraphong Chuaychu, PPAO President Rewat Areerob and Kathu Deputy Mayors Somboon Airak and Somsong Prasansom, were present during the inspection.

Yutthana provided further details about the planned road upgrade. He explained that a single surface treatment would be administered to the road, reducing its slipperiness. In simple terms, a special layer designed to enhance traction and prolong the Patong Hill road’s lifespan will be applied to the surface.

The blueprint for the road improvement is expected to be finalised within a week, following which efforts will be made to expedite the funding process.

In anticipation of potential risks during the revamping process, the Kathu District Office has arranged for warning signs to be placed along the road. These signs aim to alert tourists and other drivers about the ongoing roadworks and the temporary condition of the road.

Yutthana urged all drivers to exercise extreme caution when traversing the steep road, especially drivers of large vehicles unfamiliar with the terrain.

He also highlighted the potential risk of heavy vehicles, such as trucks, losing brake pressure on steep inclines, which could lead to trucks rolling backwards, potentially causing severe accidents. He therefore advised such drivers to avoid the route if possible and urged all road users to drive with caution, mindfulness, and consideration for others, even after the road has been improved, reported Phuket News.

The need for these safety measures was underscored by a recent incident involving a truck driver from Ubon Ratchathani. He narrowly escaped disaster when his truck failed to ascend Patong Hill and rolled back down the slope, stopping just short of plunging over the roadside barrier.

In addition to the road inspection, Governor Sophon and his team also paid a visit to a nearby display set up for Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin during his visit in late September. The display provides information about the proposed Patong Tunnel project and the planned related roadworks. No further updates about the tunnel project were disclosed during the visit.