“The barriers had narrowed the southbound traffic to a single lane, forcing traffic to bottleneck and backing up as far as Heroines Monument,” Phuket City Police Chief Pol Col Chatree Chukaew told The Phuket News.
Pol Col Chatree explained that the initiative to have the barriers installed was a collaborative effort between Phuket City Police Station and the Phuket office of the Highways Department, and served as a preparation for the peak season.
“We began a trial and removed the barriers on July 1 and tested it for 14 days. The result was that traffic flow was opened to two lanes in both directions,” Pol Col Chatree said.
“The results showed significantly improved traffic flow, with motorists now able to travel from Phuket Town via the Koh Kaew Intersection to Phuket International Airport in about 20 minutes, up from over an hour previously,” he added.
Asked about the danger of increased accidents at the U-turn ‒ which was the primary reason for having them installed in the first place ‒ Pol Col Chatree said, “With relatively fewer vehicles using the U-turn compared to other U-turns along the route [on Thepkrasattri Rd], the Phuket branch of the Highways Department decided to take the barriers out to restore smoother flow and improve safety.”
He noted that he had not received any complaints regarding the change, which at this stage is still considered “temporary” while traffic conditions continue to be monitored.
“Effective traffic management practices not only help reduce road congestion but also enhance Phuket’s image as an international tourist destination that prioritises convenience and safety for its citizens and tourists,” Pol Col Chatree said.