The road has been inaccessible for over two months due to the construction of a sand trap (SP1) by Patong Municipality’s Department of Public Works and Town & Country Planning, a project that began on June 20.
By contract, the project was to be completed on Sunday (Aug 27).
The most recent update regarding the sand trap came from Patong Mayor Chalermsak Maneesri 11 days ago, on Aug 18.
The project has encountered an unforeseen delay, leading to frustrations within the local community. Social media platforms have been flooded with questions about the reasons for the extended closure and the resulting disruptions.
To shed light on the situation, The Phuket News reached out to Patong Municipality, seeking an explanation for the prolonged road closure and the inconveniences that have followed. Unfortunately, no official statement has been provided so far, leaving residents and commuters in a state of uncertainty.
To navigate around the ongoing road closure, southbound commuters are advised to make a left turn onto Soi Banzaan, followed by a right turn onto Nanai Road to continue their journey. Similarly, those entering Patong from the south are encouraged to take a left or right turn at the roundabout located at the town’s southern end to avoid the affected area entirely.
For northbound traffic, alternative routes have been suggested. Motorists can choose to turn left onto Prachanukroh Rd and continue north along Thaweewong Rd (also known as Patong Beach Road). Alternatively, taking a right turn onto Nanai Rd, followed by a left onto Soi Banzaan and another right onto Phra Metta Rd, allows travelers to proceed northbound.
As an unnamed Patong resident pointed out, “The extended closure of this major road has led to significant traffic congestion in the Patong area, especially during peak morning and evening hours.”
The local community anxiously awaits updates from authorities as they cope with the ongoing inconvenience caused by the extended closure.