Hua Hin area traffic flow during New Year holidays.

[HHTel]

Once again, the police have been out with their bollards. As usual, they barricade all the major right turns. That means that vehicles stay on the main road for longer looking for a U-turn so they can take the right turn they had planned. Anyone coming from either side of Petchkasem are forced to turn left. Can't turn right or go straight on.

A good example is the crossroads at Soi 116. Coming along 116 or south on the frontier road, you can only turn Left. The same coming from Takieb. On Petckasem, going south, no right turn into 116 and coming from Pran Buri, no right turn to go to Takieb.

This junction had very capable traffic lights installed some time ago. So what do they do? All turned to 'flashing'.

The odd policeman I've spoken to can't explain it except to repeat what his bosses have said. 'Road Safety'!!

This goes on for every major holiday. They say that people are born stupid but learn through life. In the case of the police authorities, they may be born stupid but after joining the police force, they practice stupidity on a daily basis.

[Dannie Boy]

I’ve commented about this many times and agree that it defies logic - I think most of us have already concluded that there is rarely any logic applied in Thailand. Closing the u-turns simply pushes more traffic towards the next one and what happens there - the queues get longer, drivers get more impatient, resulting in them taking greater risks to get out. Result.......there’s likely to be more accidents, not less!!

[handdrummer]

Of the 8 countries that I've lived in and the 22 I've traveled in, Thailand is, by far, the stupidest and most illogical place I've ever been.

[Suua]

A result of 80 years of military intervention.....bottom of the world's education league tables. Simple.

[Big Boy]

I know this is motoring, and were talking about traffic flow, but my biggest gripe is crossing Petchkasem Road as a pedestrian at these times. It becomes very dangerous/almost impossible at times.

My worst experience was after seeing the New Year in on the beach a year ago. Because traffic lights are flashing orange, there is no natural break in the traffic - yes traffic flows. The road is very busy, and you know many drivers will be drunk. Do the people in charge see pedestrians as targets/cannon fodder? The act of turning all road crossings off, just make sure traffic can get home a few minutes earlier is madness. They should consider everybody's safety, and not just clearing the roads of cars.

If they don't want the official pedestrian crossings working, why not set up a few road blocks to breathalyse people - that would stop the traffic to allow a safe opportunity to cross, and make a financial killing at the same time. Yes, I know that involves work. Easier to switch safety off to allow police officers to celebrate New Year as well. I guess a stupid idea, suggesting the police be proactive.

[Dannie Boy]

It may involve a bit of a detour, but there are a few pedestrian walkways that cross the road - e.g. Blueport and MV - a detour or risk your life?

[Big Boy]

Yes, and I am probably one of the 1% that uses them. However, when you live up Soi 94, and want to go to the beach via Soi 75, those are gigantic detours, especially when you have to pass a pedestrian crossing that is only switched on when traffic is light.

If it makes sense to you, you've obviously been here too long and have gone native.

[HHTel]

If it makes sense to you, you've obviously been here too long and have gone native.

[Dannie Boy]

Yes, and I am probably one of the 1% that uses them. However, when you live up Soi 94, and want to go to the beach via Soi 75, those are gigantic detours, especially when you have to pass a pedestrian crossing that is only switched on when traffic is light.

If it makes sense to you, you've obviously been here too long and have gone native.

I didn’t say it makes sense - I’d be the first to agree that it makes no sense, but as neither of us are likely to have any influence on the dimwits who make these decisions, the choice is between a long and frustrating wait, risking your life by trying a quick dash, or taking a detour!

[HHTel]

Either the BIB recognised their own stupidity or they read this forum.
The bollards have been removed from the soi116 junction and the traffic lights turned back on.
Well done the BIB.