Mayor Lalita confirmed that Patong Municipality has received complaints about footpath conditions along Thaweewong Rd (the beach road), where a major landscape upgrade is underway. The project, she stressed, is a planned improvement, not a reactive repair, and forms part of a larger beachfront redevelopment initiative.
“For the beachfront, the sidewalk improvement is part of the main landscape improvement project, which includes beach landscaping and the construction of sidewalks on both sides of the road,” she said.
The beachfront project has been divided into three zones.
- The Welcome Zone, stretching from Coral Bridge to the Baan Laimai hotel, is currently under construction and is expected to be completed next month.
- The Business Zone, from Baan Laimai to the police box near Bangla Rd, is slated to begin next year, with sidewalk upgrades already incorporated into its design.
- The final stage, the Family Zone, will follow to complete the full beachfront upgrade.
In addition to works along the beach road, the Phuket office of the Department of Rural Roads is currently improving sidewalks on Phra Metta Rd. The ongoing phase covers both sides of the road from Pearl Circle at the southern end of Patong to the entrance of the wastewater treatment plant, including the installation of new lighting.
“The work is expected to be completed very soon,” Mayor Lalita said, adding that the next phase of improvements along Phra Metta Rd ‒ from the wastewater treatment plant intersection to the Government Savings Bank branch ‒ will begin early next year. This, she noted, is expected to significantly enhance visibility and pedestrian safety.
Mayor Lalita stressed that current government-led sidewalk issues are limited to these two specific locations and are already being actively addressed by Patong Municipality and the Phuket Rural Roads Office.
She also clarified that any further improvements to sidewalks elsewhere would fall under the responsibility of private landowners where footpaths are located on private land.
In such cases, Patong Municipality’s role is limited to ensuring any modifications comply with building and safety standards, and to requesting cooperation from property owners to maintain accessibility, safety and visual appeal.
“In most cases, property owners cooperate well,” she said. “However, in some locations sidewalks are on private land, where the municipality can only seek cooperation rather than take enforcement action.”
Mayor Lalita reiterated that authorities are prioritising public safety and are working to minimise inconvenience to pedestrians while development and upgrade works continue.