Canal Road Traffic Lights

[PET]

It must be about 18 months since these traffic lights stopped working.

They are in an important position and at busy times it is now quite dangerous trying to cross the road by car.

I believe there are only 3 other sets of traffic lights in Hua Hin (all on Phetkasem Road) so what is the big deal about getting them repaired?

I do not know where one complains about this but I do think we should take some action by each sending an email - anybody know who to?

I did see a monthly paper on free issue where the editor took up such complaints - but I cannot remember its name!!

[hhfarang]

I think the paper you're talking about is the Hua Hin Hotline and the man who runs it and takes the complaints is Khun Tuck. I don't have any contact information.

You're right that that light needs to be working as does the one at Chomsin and Nebkahard roads. More lights are also needed along Phetkasem at any Soi that crosses the railroad tracks (56, 88, 94, 110, etc. as well as in front of Market Village with a combined entrance/exit. They should all be automatic timed lights and synchronized. That would slow and regulate the traffic through town and keep it moving instead of having a couple of lights and putting the control of them in the hands of policemen on the corners who leave them green/red in the same direction for five minutes at a time.

This and the unguarded railroad crossings have been one of my chief complaints over the last five years but everyone says TIT and my wife says they will never change so just give up like I did...

I was very surprised when they actually did something to improve the traffic flow across the railroad track near the G market. Getting any infrastructure improvement done around here takes what we call in the states, "an act of Congress" and I don't expect to see many changes in my lifetime.

[Wanderlust]

I agree that the non working lights in town are a mystery, and with the one on the canal road they only seem to start working again after a major accident. As far as the railway crossing goes, I have been led to believe that the delay in sorting that out was down to a shrine/spirit house that was there, with many locals protesting at its removal; from what I heard a compromise was finally reached over that, and when it was things moved fairly swiftly, although the work is still not finished - eventually there will be proper automatic barriers and the road will be straight from the 'down' side as well coming from the supermarket into town.

[bozzman101]

what about the new trafic lights which turn green red yellow all at the same time??????at the main junctio coming down from the railway crossing on to pechkhesem rd

[Rider]

Best just to keep your eyes wide and worry more about what's coming at you rather than the machinations and nuances of thai traffic light policy folks.
TIT afterall

[bluezephyr]

I had no problems with the lights, As they dont work it makes you think when aproaching instead of just carrying through them on green and not paying attention.

If you cant cross the road, Do what Thais do, Edge out until youre blocking the road, Everybody will stop and away you go

[caller]

I had no problems with the lights, As they dont work it makes you think when aproaching instead of just carrying through them on green and not paying attention.

Interesting comment. This theory is coming to the fore in europe and is being piloted at various sites in the UK. It does as BZ states and seemingly improves traffic flow.

Sorry -

[Khundon1975]

I had no problems with the lights, As they dont work it makes you think when aproaching instead of just carrying through them on green and not paying attention.

Interesting comment. This theory is coming to the fore in europe and is being piloted at various sites in the UK. It does as BZ states and seemingly improves traffic flow.

Sorry -

I never saw the lights on Naebkehardt road work in all the time I was there, it just flashed orange all the time.
I always went through at tick over speeds in a big SUV and never saw an accident, as the traffic just seemed to sort itself out.

I did see the main lights on Petchkasem road turned off and was instead manned by a troop of Boy scouts and girl guides about 12 years old, who were all being given a go at directing the traffic by a police Sargent.

Utter chaos ensued.

In some European cities and towns, they are also removing road markings and right of way signs for both pedestrians and motor vehicles and it seems to work as traffic moves much slower.

I don't know if that would work in LOS as most signs and rules are ignored anyway.

[JoeDoc]

The reason given by the Thai local authorities for switching off the traffic lights at 10pm is amazing. The official reason is that many people driving after 10pm have been drinking alcohol and will drive through red lights without stopping causing accidents, but if they know the lights are blinking (not working), they will approach with caution thus avoiding serious accidents.

Someone should explain that nonsense to the night coaches drivers heading south from Bangkok before someone is killed.

[tolair]

Thursday July 30th 2009 4.30 PM

Canal Rd traffic lights WERE working.

Obviously chaos, confusion and pandemonium ensued.

I could see everybody thinking the same as me. "There's nothing coming and I have to wait here another 40 seconds? ridiculous concept; traffic lights indeed.

Some Thais eventually did go for it. I was left in two minds.

1) I have been using this busy and dangerous junction at least twice a day on my little scooter, without incident for 6 months . Should I ignore the lights and easily and safely go on my merry way. or.......

2) Surely it is better to have rules and some kind of order and regulations in life. Should I wait another 20 seconds for the green light?

This little incident made me reflect on Thai life in general. Hmm. a set of malfunctioning traffic signals as a kind of metaphor for adapting oneself to Thai culture and lifestyle.

Decisions , decisions........ how I long for those halcyon days when the Canal Rd traffic lights didn't work.

TIT: Not to worry they'll probably be f***d again tomorrow.


ps. I waited for green but I don't know what will happen next time. What did you do?

[sandman67]

they may be working but the streetlights on a long stretch just after the Biker Bar arent.

Thats bad as its the bit where the market is occasionally, so that bit is potholed and uneven.

Also great when its late, dark and full of Thai kids riding the wrong way with no lights on, who dont see oncoming headlights as a reason to get out of the way or ride on the right side.

Throw in dumb dogs, a couple of blind curves, wandering cattle ....

potential pavement pizza.

Be careful out there guys.

[tolair]

they may be working but the streetlights on a long stretch just after the Biker Bar arent.

Thats bad as its the bit where the market is occasionally, so that bit is potholed and uneven.

we MUST be talking about the same set of lights.

"TIT: Not to worry they'll probably be f***d again tomorrow."

LOL: actually only had to wait 2 hours!