Police in East Pattaya have begun experimenting with turning the route between Soi Khao Talo and Soi Nong Kabok one-way with no U-turns to relieve traffic congestion ahead of the installation of a new traffic light.
All cars coming from Soi Kao Talo along the railway-parallel road must turn left and make a U-turn at Nong Kabok; then, head back to Khao Talo.
Moreover, motorcycles are allowed to go straight to the beginning of Soi Khao Talo. In addition, all cars and motorcycles coming from the railroad road heading toward Bangkok passing the Nong Kabok junction will not be allowed to turn right, but must go straight.
All cars coming from the beginning of Khao Talo can go straight or make right; vehicles from the Khao Talo side heading to Sukhumvit Road must turn right and make a U-Turn at Soi Nong Kabok instead.
All vehicles coming from the railway road entering Sattahip or the entrance of Soi Khao Noi must go straight and make a U-turn at Soi Nong Kabok.
This new traffic configuration might lead to longer commutes for drivers but will benefit the public because traffic at the Soi Khao Talo intersection in the morning and evening has always been jammed and required officers to work there every day, officials from the Nongprue Police Station said.
Commuter Santi Simaud said many people were confused and didn’t understand the change of traffic flow. Some understood, but still ignored the new rules.
Resident Pattama Sungnern said she has been using the intersection of Soi Khao Talo and the railway-parallel road many times per day to deliver laundry. She now must make a U-turn 500 meters further down the road. To save time, she has switched to using a motorbike.
Pol. Maj. Nattakan Prathumtri, a traffic inspector at Nongprue Police Station, said the trial run is an attempt to control traffic before a signal is installed. If it helps solve congestion and doesn’t generate too much negative feedback, it will become permanent, he said.
