Highway conditions south of Hua Hin deteriorating

[buksida]

I've notched up a fair few klicks over the past month in the car and on the bike on the highways and byways south of Hua Hin taking in Prachuab, Chumphon, Ranong and Surat Thani on various road trips. One observation that I can make is that the physical state of the highway, especially the entire northbound lane, from Surat all the way to Pranburi is absolutely atrocious. Craters almost a foot deep can be found in parts and both lanes are a patch work of bumps, dips, cracks and crevices. Small teams can be spotted here and there filling in the odd hole but the entire road needs regrading and resurfacing, it is a danger to drive on and there are noticeably more accidents on the northbound lane.

The southbound lane, which was a new road to widen the previously single lane highway is still in relatively good condition. I guess it is a dream to have the current government spend any money on this when they are too busy building super highways through deserted rice fields in Issan, never mind the only major road artery between Bangkok and Singapore ... but yes, that's in South Thailand.

Another observation is that highway driving standards seem to have improved slightly (repeat: slightly) over the years, car drivers tend to leave a little more space now, are not travelling at breakneck speeds all the time, and on occasion show a little courtesy to other highway users (this doesn't apply to driving standards in Hua Hin town which are as bad as ever). Of course you'll always get the odd twat in an over-powered pickup that thinks he has a touring car but they tend to be in the minority now. The trucks are just as inconsiderate and dangerous as ever, swerving into the outside lane without even looking, but in general the car drivers 'appear' to be getting better.

Also noticed a LOT more red plates on the road, it seems in Thailand a brand spanking new car is becoming a common household item these days.

[sateeb]

Of course you'll always get the odd twat in an over-powered pickup that thinks he has a touring car but they tend to be in the minority now.

ODD????......Most road twats I have come across are driving Toyota Fortuners..hasn't changed at all IMO.

[buksida]

I was making observations about road conditions and highway driving in the south, not Hua Hin, which as you say is full of Fortuner driving twats.

[Terry]

Agree about the road Buksi.

When returning from Bang Saphan the other week, as I had been warned, I too noticed how deplorable that road is - all the way up to Pranburi.

I feel sorry for those 'Fortuner driving twats' on roads like that. They must have cast iron ar5e5.
I once sat in the back of one (Top Spec model) from Hua Hin to Phuket. When I got out, my ar5e was red raw.
Terrible ride

Anyway - I digress

I agree, 'the entire road needs regrading and resurfacing.'

[buksida]

A reminder to all - be very careful if driving from Prachuab to Pranburi (or vice versa), Petchkasem Road is in such a shocking state now that it has become very dangerous to travel at speed (over 90kph) on it. I do this journey at least once a month and over the past two years this road has deteriorated to a state where it now resembles the surface of the moon.

Trucks will swerve wildly without looking into the outside lane to avoid these holes, and driving on the inside is not possible unless you have a Humvee. Take care out there.

[usual suspect]

Thanks for that Buksi.. I'm driving down to Ranong tonight..will be extra careful, & flash every truck before passing them..