All trucks will be banned from traveling in Phuket starting July 1

All trucks will be banned from travelling on any major roads in Phuket during peak traffic hours starting July 1, following an order issued by Phuket Provincial Police Commander Maj Gen Sinlert Sukhum.

"Phuket Province is facing traffic problems due to an imbalance between the number of vehicles and the available road space," said the order, published online yesterday (June 7).

"The growth of tourism and tourism-related businesses has led to an increase in the number of public service vehicles, cargo transport, and vehicles serving tourists, which is the main cause of severe traffic congestion," the order said.

"The Phuket Provincial Police studied the causes of traffic congestion and identified two approaches to solve the problem: long-term and urgent solutions. The congestion is mainly caused by large trucks using the roads, especially during rush hours, which disrupts traffic flow and requires immediate attention.

"The police collected information and presented it to the Land Traffic System Management Subcommittee of Phuket Province on May 17, 2024. The meeting concluded with a resolution for the Phuket Provincial Police to issue an announcement specifying routes and times when driving, stopping, and parking are prohibited for trucks with three or more axles and 10 or more tyres in Phuket Province," the order concluded.

The order was authorised under Section 139 (1) (2) of the Land Traffic Act B.E. 2522 (1979), the order noted.

The order applies to all roads in Phuket under the jurisdiction of the Phuket Highways Office.

The periods during which driving, stopping or parking of trucks along main roads were given as from 6am to 9am and from 4pm to 7pm every day "except government holidays or public holidays".

While the Phuket Highways Office also administers some roads in lower Phang Nga, including the section of Route 402 from the Khok Kloi Intersection in Phang Nga up to and including the bridges onto the island, the peak-hour ban on trucks will apply only to Phuket Highways Office roads south of the Tha Chat Chai Check Point.

The full list of roads in Phuket under the jurisdiction of the Phuket Highways Office is as follows:

MAIN ROADS

402 Thepkrasattri Rd, from entrance to Wat Mai Khao in Baan Mak Prok to in front of Wat Kosit in Ratsada (27.102km)

4024 Chalermprakriat Ror 9 Rd (the bypass road) and Chao Fa West Rd,, from the Bang Khu Intersection to Kwang Rd (11.65km)

4020 Wichit Songkhram Rd, from in front of Surakul Stadium to the traffic lights in front of Makro (1.642km)

4022 Wichit Songkhram Rd, from Wichit Songkram School to Surakul Stadium Intersection (0.488km)

4026 Entrance to Phuket Airport, from Phuket Airport underpass intersection to Phuket Airport Intersection (4.130km)

4027 From the Heroines Monument, through Pa Khlok, to Muang Mai (19.538km)

4031 Muk Dok Khao - Phuket Airport: The old route to the airport via Muk Dok Khao Intersection (Highway 402 Thepkrasattri Road) to the airport Intersection (Old Line) (13.093km)
LOCAL ROADS

4021 Chao Fa East Rd, from the Dowroong School Interscetion to Chalong Circle (6.473km)

4023 Sakdidet Rd, from the Kwangtung Cemetery to Cape Panwa (8.77km)

4024 Chao Fa West Rd, from Kwang R), Chalong Circle to Rawai Beach (Rawai Pier) (11.07km)

4025 Srisoonthorn Rd, from Heroines Monument to Cherng Talay Police Station (6.95km)

4028 Patak Rd, from Chalong Circle to Karon Circle (8.608km)

4029 Phra Barami Rd (over Patong Hill), from the Pun Tao Kong Shrine on the Kathu side of teh hill to Loma Circle at the northern end of Patong Beach (3.236km)

4030 Thalang - Rawai Beach road (the road down the west coast of Phuket), from Rop Koh Rd at the Ban Khian Intersection to the Cherng Talay Police Station Intersection, to Surin Beach to Rawai Pier (40.54km)

4129 Entrance to Ao Makham, Tha Ruea Rd, from the Oil Depot Intersection to Wisit Pier (0.380km)