Traffic police to ensure safety of traffic flow
The sign
reads: “Trial operation of traffic lights only
on Saturday and Sunday 11.00 - 17.00 hrs.”
Phasakorn Channgam
Good news for motorists driving into Pattaya on Highway
7. The authorities have decided to open the intersection for motorists to
turn right towards North Pattaya. The bad news is that it will be on a trial
basis and only for 6 hours on weekends.
Anuwat Thongkham, head of the city’s traffic engineering
department said that officials at City Hall held a meeting to discuss the
deteriorating traffic situation in Pattaya and explore ways to relieve the
congestion that has become worse by the day.
One of the points discussed was the intersection under
the Highway 7 overpass between Central and North Pattaya where vehicles are
not permitted to turn right towards North Pattaya. This has caused traffic
congestion on Sukhumvit Road at the entrance to Siam Country Club
intersection near Central Pattaya Road as motorists must wait for a long
time to make the U-turn.
The meeting agreed that the intersection should be opened
to allow traffic to turn right, but under strict supervision of traffic
police.
The intersection was opened for a trial run on Saturday 4
and Sunday 5 December from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. During the 2 day period,
officials reported that traffic was considerably lighter in front of the
Siam Country Club entrance.
City officials will paint the road around that area with
clearer traffic markings and traffic police will control and direct traffic
to ensure smooth and safe usage of the intersection.
These measures will be in effect until the automated
traffic systems of the City Hall and the Highways Department are integrated
and synchronised before the intersection can be fully opened for traffic
use.