Kittisak Morasin, Director of Patong Municipality’s Engineering Division, said that Patong Mayor Lalita Maneesri had sent letters to the Phuket office of the Rural Highways Department, the Department of Highways and the Phuket provincial office of the Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning (DPT), requesting technical experts to assess and design long-term stabilisation measures.
“Currently, we have only been able to take temporary steps by covering the area with tarps to prevent further erosion and using wooden barriers to stop soil from falling and blocking traffic,” said Mr Kittisak.
“However, for a permanent solution, we need support from specialist agencies,” he added. “Letters were sent shortly after last week’s landslide, but there has been no reply yet. Meetings have been held to discuss the problem, but a concrete plan cannot be finalised until the experts arrive.”
The landslide site, located on the upper slope of 50 Pi Rd, was closed immediately after the collapse sent debris and concrete foundations from homes above onto the roadside. The road has since been reopened, but municipal officials have placed warning barriers and continue to monitor in the hope of preventing further hazards.
Kathu District Chief Akkaraphon Suthirak Chittsuphap during his visit to the landslide site yesterday (Oct 27) confirmed that only one house, occupied by a husband and wife, was directly affected. “The couple has been advised to stay with relatives temporarily at night while officials monitor the situation,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Mayor Lalita, together with municipal executives, councillors and Kathu District officials, distributed relief packages to 50 households affected by flooding across Patong following several days of driving rain last week.
“Homeowners have cooperated fully and agreed to follow the municipality’s safety recommendations,” Mayor Lalita said in a municipal statement.
Patong Municipality has urged residents affected by flooding or other disasters to contact the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office at 076-342600 for assistance.