Closed Palm Hills U-turn

[Chas]

Has anyone else been affected by the closure of the Palm Hills U-turn? It has been a huge inconvenience for many of us here and our hopes that it was temporary have been dashed by the fact that the barriers are still there long after the major holidays have passed. In addition to the inconvenience to everyone in Palm Hills complex, there are many, many villagers on both sides of the highway who now must go WAY out of their way to get to and from town.

The reasons for the closure (gleaned from friends of friends who know a policeman who. . .etc ) have ranged from a decree by the Royal Family to a temporary experiment for the holiday, to n error by the overworked guys in Public Works to a simple solution to the accident rate there. Though in fact, the incease in wrong way traffic has made the whole area much more dangerous.

The MOST interesting reason I have heard, and one which rings true unfortunately, is that the commander/director/person in charge of such decisions (Highway Dpt? Public Safety? Police ?)has asked Palm Hills Golf Club for free memberships for everyone in his dept and will not open the U-turn until he gets them. ( Their Golf vans have been profoundly affected by higher costs in time and baht)

Does anyone have any knowledge of this situation? Other theories or explanations? Contacts to verify anything?

[samlorsam]

I am confused by this post, do you mean the Palm Hills right hand turn into town or the turn outside the U turn bar that takes you to Palm hills, I find that one annoying as when I want to go to the temple I end up in the Hilton Disco.
Don't worry its just a few minutes and its one accident less.

[STEVE G]

Chas wrote;
The reasons for the closure (gleaned from friends of friends who know a policeman who. . .etc ) have ranged from a decree by the Royal Family to a temporary experiment for the holiday, to n error by the overworked guys in Public Works to a simple solution to the accident rate there. Though in fact, the incease in wrong way traffic has made the whole area much more dangerous.


I do think that this U-turn was a bit dangerous as it was slightly the wrong way from the entrance for traffic heading into town, resulting in potential mayhem when you emerge from the tunnel to find cars and motorbikes coming across and towards you. What is really required is another U-turn to the left, but nearer.
If the result of this closure is motorbikes going the wrong way through the tunnel, it was obviously better as it was, so they had better let the police chief join the golf club!

[Kraka's Dad]

Palm Hills U turn is now open for business again !!

[c.g]

closed again

[STEVE G]

Damn! I did'nt even have time to get there.

[clive]

So that I do not show out I always go to palm hills on a motorbike so I am not worried if the U turn is closed. Apart from that riding a motorbike the wrong way thru the tunnel is better than any theme park ride!

[Gooner]

I heard it was because Palm Hills would not give Highways Dept a discount green fee,at first i laughed at this,but having thought about it,it sounds very possible.

[c.g]

I heard it was because Palm Hills would not give Highways Dept a discount green fee,at first i laughed at this,but having thought about it,it sounds very possible.

I heard the same they never give discount to VIP's and got on someones tits.

[STEVE G]

You can get to Palm Hills by following the unmade road off the end of the canal road, which goes around the end of the airport runway, and comes out on the access road near the second security barrier. It’s a dirt track, but I have used it on a mountain bike to stop having to cycle through the tunnel the wrong way.

[c.g]

it was part open this morning,

[Chas]

Went back and resurrected this thread to let you all know that it is now open.. . as of last week.They had been letting motorcycles pass for some months now. . but now all of the Jersey barriers are gone

Not sure why this has happened and I hesitate to say anything for fear that they will close it again. It IS an area where you have to be very careful that is for sure!

And I am just hoping that there are no big accidents there that will encourage them to close it again. Force of habit. . I have gone round the long way twice now not remembering that it is open. Having it open saves me a bundle in gas and time!

[The understudy]

Hi thee Chas.

I Can feel you right there my friend.
I can remember when I came to Stamford last April it took me some time to get into the Campus.

This would reduce pacing time of the Stamford Shuttle Bus to Hua Hin and back by five to 10. Minutes I hope.

Lets Pray this would not change na krab!

Your's former Stamford Stud. The understudy!!!

[long-in-thailand]

closed again

Thailand is the Land of U-turns. In more ways than one. After twenty years of driving in Thailand it has never ceased to amaze me how the police can continually screw up the traffic with their schemes to keep it moving. My own personal U-turn moan has been the closure of the one opposite the Bank of Ayudya near Soi 102/104. Now I have to drive under the fly-over. The only logical conclusion I could come up with for this closure was that the new bank was worried about ram-raiders - a big problem in Thailand!?!?!?!?

[Hobiecat]

My own personal U-turn moan has been the closure of the one opposite the Bank of Ayudya near Soi 102/104. Now I have to drive under the fly-over. The only logical conclusion I could come up with for this closure was that the new bank was worried about ram-raiders - a big problem in Thailand!?!?!?!?

Have you ever seen the amount of accidents there in the high season? All though you don't see it much I think there is finally someone that's using there head and recognizes there is a traffic problem in that location. Hench the traffic cones up the highway for the u-turn. Only my thoughts.