The first street procession for this year’s nine-day festival will begin on Monday (Sept 30) with the first “Yew Keng” procession held at the Choor Su Gong Shrine, better known as the Naka Shrine, in Wichit, starting at 8am. (See story here.)
“We expect the processions to affect traffic. Processions may cause big traffic delays on many roads in Phuket Town, especially the processions along Phuket Rd,” said Lt Col Pongpob Prasoppichai, Deputy Superintendent of the Phuket City Traffic Police.
“For safety, we will stop all traffic where necessary from passing any procession continuing along the road if we think it is not safe enough,” Col Pongpob added.
Other major roads to be affected include Thalang Rd and Yaowarat Rd, Col Pongpob said.
“Also, please be especially careful when driving on Thepkrasattri Rd on Tuesday morning when the Sapam Shrine procession takes place. The procession will start at 8am, and this is a very busy road,” he added.
Traffic Police officers have been assigned to direct traffic at key points along the procession route, Col Pongpob 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.