Phuket City Municipality and Phuket City Police recently announced the new opening and closing times for the park, a public area designed for people to enjoy and a popular place for many to exercise.
However, in the past three years there has been an increase in the number of criminal activities happening in the area including murders, assaults, robberies, drug taking, car and motorbike racing, noise disturbances and general public nuisances from teenagers which have led to the restricted operational hours.
In one shooting incident, a 17-year-old boy was killed and three others were injured near Bang Yai Canal on January 29. (See story here)
A more recent incident saw a gang of teenagers shoot dead a 15-year-old boy on the last day of the Vegetarian Festival close to the Phuket Vocational College. (See story here)
As from today, the entrance on Rattanakosin 200 Pi Rd along Klong Bang Yai will close from 10pm-5am.
The entrances behind the Prince of Chumphon pavilion and the Saphan Hin police kiosk will close from midnight until 5am.
Phuket City Municipality have apologised for any inconveniences this may cause to visitors to the park and have informed all food and drink vendors about the new operating hours.