Hua Hin as model for traffic management in the provinces

[zeitgeist]

The Road Planner's Revenge

Is it just the long weekend, or is this new traffic management system crashing and burning before it starts? I went to the market the other side of the flyover this afternoon - the manoeuvre to get there is almost suicidal. We stopped off at the little Tesco on the way, and then had to cross 4 lanes of busy 2 way traffic to get to the new frontage road by the market. OK, it should only have been 2 lanes of traffic, but TIT.

Not sure I'm understanding this correctly and maybe I'm in the wrong location but if you're talking about 112/114 market, from Tescos turn right and go underneath the flyover (this is now 2-way), the end of 112 there is a roundabout and you go straight over it to the market (warning: Thai's haven't got the hang of the roundabout so be careful).

[oakdale160]

8 pm tonight, the traffic was stuck 3 lanes, NO movement, blocked from the lights back to bkk hospital bkk.
Its fine for those of us riding m,bikes, I zipped thru the stationary traffic like knife through butter. It must be hell for you guys trying to travel on 4 wheels.

[Spitfire]

This thread [and title] is an oxymoron....no such thing as an acceptable indigenous model for driving here, doesn't exist.

[PeteC]

I think one thing can be said about the entire country and that is it's simply not a pleasant experience to drive here. Perhaps there are some roads tucked away up north or down south somewhere where a driver can relax and enjoy the art of driving, but those type of roads seem few and far between to me.

Day to day life here when preparing to drive to the store or somewhere is like preparing for battle, and your senses are usually exhausted by the time you return home. Pete

[MrPlum]

I applaud the idea of trying to improve traffic flow but not sure they will succeed. They appear to be constructing islands in the centre of the road and blocking off (permanently?) some turns that cause traffic hold-ups. The former is not going to be helpful, since they are reducing available space and the latter will only shunt the hold-ups elsewhere. The U-turn down by soi 102 is an accident waiting to happen, a sudden dog-leg when you are speeding at night can take you unawares. There isn't sufficient lighting.

[Big Boy]

Not sure I'm understanding this correctly and maybe I'm in the wrong location but if you're talking about 112/114 market, from Tescos turn right and go underneath the flyover (this is now 2-way), the end of 112 there is a roundabout and you go straight over it to the market (warning: Thai's haven't got the hang of the roundabout so be careful).

It sounds like there's a new road that I'm not aware of. Could you confirm that we're talking about the same Tesco - the one next door to the new water park.

Turn right? Is that a legitimate move? I have seen the occasional car going that way, but have chuckled assumed TIT. I'd seen the roundabout already - why don't Thais understand roundabouts. It seems every roundabout I encounter they stop to let traffic onto the roundabout (OK, this is a mini roundabout), even though the road signs indicate differently.

Sounds as if it was my lack of knowledge of the new road layout (along with the other dozen people who were queuing to do the same manoeuvre) . However, the rest of my rant still stands. This new road layout is going to take trade away from some established businesses.

I for one have started using back roads, not really designed for traffic, just to avoid (an unpainted) Petchkasem.

[hhfarang]

Can anybody see any logic to what is going on?

No, it appears that instead of making south Phetkasem wider with more lanes for driving, turning, or parking, that they are making a huge kerbed divider in the middle wasting an entire lane!

[Big Boy]

A local Thai guy I follow on Facebook has been reporting yesterday's inevitable accidents, which he claims are the result of the new system.

[zeitgeist]

It sounds like there's a new road that I'm not aware of. Could you confirm that we're talking about the same Tesco - the one next door to the new water park.

Turn right? Is that a legitimate move? I have seen the occasional car going that way, but have chuckled assumed TIT. I'd seen the roundabout already - why don't Thais understand roundabouts. It seems every roundabout I encounter they stop to let traffic onto the roundabout (OK, this is a mini roundabout), even though the road signs indicate differently.

Sounds as if it was my lack of knowledge of the new road layout (along with the other dozen people who were queuing to do the same manoeuvre) . However, the rest of my rant still stands. This new road layout is going to take trade away from some established businesses.

I for one have started using back roads, not really designed for traffic, just to avoid (an unpainted) Petchkasem.

Thats the 1, turn right out of Tescos and you can get to the market on the other side without ever crossing traffic on Petchkasem. The issue with the new layout there is there's no real signs explaining it.

[Big Boy]

I've been back that way this morning, and it's easy when you understand what they've. Meanwhile, they are still queuing up like I did yesterday.

[oakdale160]

Roundabouts are almost unknown in north america. Excellent, experienced american an Canadian drivers find them to be very mysterious, particularly in how and when to change lanes as you go around so as to exit at the desired exiit.

[Pleng]

I must have gotten lucky as I thought the system was working wonderfully all the times I've been out this weekend. Every time there's been heavy traffic in Hua Hin it's always equalled gridlock; but this weekend I for the first time saw three lanes of traffic - all moving. Granted it wasn't moving very fast but that's better than what I'm used to seeing - cars all over the place jamming up the highway doing a u-turn wherever they please.

[Big Boy]

It's probably people avoiding the main roads

[HHTel]

The road system over the flyover at Hua Na is actually quite sensible. Imagine it to be a 2-way horseshoe. You want to get to the other side of Petchkasem then use the 'horse shoe'. If the locals understood white lines and roundabouts then it would work fine. There's even a sign (although written in Thai) that explains that vehicles on the roundabout have the right of way. Will things ever change? I doubt it.

[dtaai-maai]

Roundabouts are almost unknown in north america. Excellent, experienced american an Canadian drivers find them to be very mysterious, particularly in how and when to change lanes as you go around so as to exit at the desired exiit.

You'd love this one, then! I remember it well...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Roun ... mpstead%29

One massive roundabout with a small roundabout at each of its 6 exits

magic roundabout.jpg (8.47 KiB) Viewed 533 times