Phuket police target school-term traffic and dangerous U-turns

Phuket police on Monday announced measures to ease school-term traffic congestion and cut crashes on Chao Fah roads ahead of classes resuming in early May 2026. Deputy Phuket Provincial Police Commander Col Jirasak Siemsak said congestion is expected to worsen when schools reopen, especially in Phuket City municipality, and rain typically adds to the problem.

Police said officers will focus on school pickup and drop-off areas by urging parents to use designated stopping points only briefly. Officers will also enforce parking rules on main roads where illegal stopping can block traffic flow.

Barriers installed at 4 U-turn points on Chao Fah roads

Police have already changed traffic movements at 4 points along the two parallel Chao Fah routes, Chao Fah East and Chao Fah West, which run from the town area toward Chalong Circle. The roads are described as effectively reduced from 4 lanes because roadside parking regularly takes away 1 lane.

Officials said the routes have too many U-turn points, creating repeated crossing conflicts, particularly for motorcyclists moving back and forth between carriageways. Fatal crashes had occurred at known problem spots including Soi Ta-iad and near Promphan shop.

The response includes barriers, orange bollards and flexible posts to block unsafe turns, especially on bends, and force drivers to use safer U-turn locations such as signalized intersections. Chalong Police Station has reported a drop in accident statistics after the changes, with no new incidents reported on the adjusted sections.

Source: https://www.thaipost.net/district-news/986417/