The main access road to Patong, across Patong Hill, has partly collapsed, leaving access across the hill from Kathu completely blocked off, in both directions. The road was closed off last night around 5.30pm after a total collapse of one lane of the road, just after the first hairpin turn, heading up the hill from Kathu.
Officials eventually blocked off access to the Patong Hill road, in both directions, after traffic continued to traverse the damaged section on the one remaining lane.
With landslides on parts of the Kamala to Patong Road, officials are working quickly to maintain access along the alternative route into Phuket’s main tourist town.
With the Patong Hill road closed indefinitely, officials say it could be many months before the major road into Patong can be re-opened.
Luckily no cars or motorbikes ended up falling down the hill when the road collapsed late yesterday afternoon.
One lane of the By Pass Road was also closed yesterday when a landslide under an abandoned hotel blocked traffic. One lane has been re-opened on that part of the road but officials are now cordoning off other areas of the By Pass Road where other landslides could occur due to the continuous rainfall since Saturday night.
The old airport road has also been affected by landslides and falling power poles over the past three days. Another pole down last night.
You can check out the latest in the Phuket Flood Relief project HERE.
