Patong’s peril: Road collapse has drivers on edge in Phuket

A patch of road shoulder collapsed on the route over Patong Hill leading into Phuket’s bustling tourist hub, Patong, a situation that has authorities urging drivers to exercise caution. The subsidence occurred yesterday, and repair works are still ongoing on the compromised section of the route.

Emergency repairs were undertaken on the cracked road surface yesterday. The Phuket Highways Office, in light of this development, issued a late warning notice. Interestingly, these cracks were spotted at the 1+350-kilometre mark, directly opposite the Wyndham Sea Pearl Resort Phuket, resulting from the earth beneath the road giving way, said the Highways Office.

“We would like to announce this for everyone to know and apologise for the inconvenience.”

The Highways Office further added a note of caution, urging people to be careful.

Surprisingly, no formal reports on the ongoing repair works have been released by Patong Municipality, Kathu Municipality, or the Phuket Highways Office. There is also no indication of when the repairs might be completed, reported The Phuket News.

However, Phuket MP Chalermpong Saengdee expressed gratitude to Patong Municipality last night for installing a light at the site. This thoughtful measure allows motorists to recognise the hazard and follow the traffic cones, guiding them safely into a single lane past the repair area.

The seriousness of the situation was apparent as officials deployed a backhoe and a repair team to the site yesterday evening, according to MP Chalermpong. Although no official reports confirm this action, images from the scene suggest that officials are taking robust steps to counter the subsidence. They are reinforcing the area to prevent further slippage of the earth that supports the road.

Chalermpong confirmed that the repair work would continue today.

In related news, Pattaya witnessed an unexpected event as a sinkhole emerged on Pattaya Third Road, raising safety concerns among the public. This event took place yesterday, on a minor stretch of Pattaya Third Road, which forms a link between Central Pattaya and North Pattaya, near an intersection. To read more click HERE