“This Sunday (Oct 14) will be the day for the street procession by devotees from Bang Liao Shrine,” Lt Yuttana Rachapolsit of the Phuket City Traffic Police explained to The Phuket News.
“They will start on Phuket Rd at 7am and will go to Saphan Hin to perform their rituals, and then proceed through Phuket Town while heading back to Bang Liao Shrine,” Lt Yuttana said.
“We expect the procession will conclude at about midday,” he added.
“This procession will create big traffic problems on many roads in Phuket Town, especially as the procession continues along Phuket Rd,” Lt Yuttana said.
Other major roads to be affected include Thalang Rd and Yaowarat Rd, he added,
Traffic Police officers have been assigned to direct traffic at key points along the procession route, Lt Yuttana noted.
“As for police providing escorts for the procession, that will be the duty of Tourist Police, but if they request us to help, of course Traffic Police will be happy to oblige,” he said.
More major street processions for the Vegetarian Festival will continue each day on Monday through Wednesday (Oct 15-17).
Of note, the street procession by devotees from the Kathu Shrine – the original home of the Phuket Vegetarian Festival – on Tuesday (Oct 16), is expected to cause traffic delays as it passes through the busy Darasamut Intersection, and between the two main Central Festival shopping mall buildings.
“The procession for the Kathu Shrine will start from Makro (on Wichit Songkram Rd) at 7am and go to Saphan Hin, and then (to Makro) by about midday,” Lt Yuttana said.
"Of course the street processions may cause big traffic problems, but there are shortcuts around the routes that motorists can use to avoid the areas. If motorists know of these shortcuts, please use them,” Lt Yuttana urged.
“If motorists have any questions about how to avoid the areas, they can call the Phuket City Traffic Police (Tel: 076-220919) and just ask,” he added.