The 1-kilometre-long stretch of Phra Mettha Rd running behind Jungceylon shopping mall from Soi Banzaan to Soi Nanai Ruamjai (Soi Nanai 8) closed on June 20 to enable the construction of a new flood prevention system, something Patong Police described as a “sand trap” (SP1), near the wastewater treatment plant.
The construction work was initially scheduled to take only two months, and was therefore suppposed to be completed by Aug 26. However, despite opening partially from Sept 25, it ultimately took twice that long until the entire road was officially reopened yesterday.
Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri, Deputy Mayor Weerasak Khaminthong and other leaders from Patong Municipality were on hand to oversee the official reopening ceremony yesterday.
All officials participated in a religious ritual where incesnse sticks were lit and prayers carried out before the customary firecrackers were let off to welcome good fortune.
Additionally, local municipality workers washed the road surface, using water from a fire truck provided by the local DDPM branch, before the barriers closing off the road and warning signs were removed.
At approximately 11am traffic returned fully to the section of road, although no official road markings have yet been installed.
During the ongoing work, Patong was flooded several times as heavy rains lashed the island. Local residents expressed their frustration and anger on several occasions due to the delays on the project, with social media platforms inundated with questions about the reasons for the extended closure and the resulting disruptions.
Additionally, The Phuket News reached out to Patong Municipality in late August, seeking an explanation for the prolonged road closure and the inconveniences that have followed. However, no official statement was forthcoming, which left frustrated residents and commuters in a state of uncertainty.
Despite the delay, authorities are confident that the newly-installed flood prevention system can minimise any threat from future heavy rains, something the Meteorological Department is expected to comment on today.
Officials also stressed the importance of having the road return to normal ahead of the upcoming high tourist season when traffic is anticipated to be very high.