LANDSLIDE ALERT : Tourist areas on Phuket at risk

[elef]

LANDSLIDE ALERT : Tourist areas on Phuket at risk

Published on October 20, 2004

 

Several areas in popular tourist destinations in Phuket, including Patong, were yesterday listed as vulnerable to landslides.

 

Krathu, Patong and the Patong to Kamala road were among 20 risky spots, Phuket?s Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Office director Metha Mekharak said.

 

Efforts to identify landslide-prone areas were stepped up after three people, including a nine-year-old girl, were killed in a landslide in nearby Krabi several days ago.

 

Metha said his office was now working closely with the local weather bureau to ensure officials and equipment are ready in case of emergencies.

 

The landslides in Krabi were partly blamed on heavy downpours, which saturated the land.

 

As a longer-term measure, he said his office was also planning to build embankments on vulnerable roads.

 

Suwit Kaneekul, director of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Region XII Office, said some areas in Phattalung and Songkhla also needed extra attention as they were prone to landslides.

 

In Krabi, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Region XI Office director Peerapat Tangpojtawee-phol said he was going to convene an urgent meeting with geologists to look at the feasibility of blowing up Huai Somfai mountain before further landslides occur.

 

On Sunday night, a fatal landslide on the mountain killed three members of the same family. More than 10 houses and fruit orchards were also damaged. Survivors have already been evacuated.

 

?There are cracks on the mountain and we can still hear creaking noises at the scene. We believe the best solution will be to blow up the mountain to prevent more landslides,? Peerapat said.

 

Krabi Governor Anon Promnart yesterday gave Bt72,000 to the Onbut family, which lost three members in the landslide on Sunday.

 

Anon said he would take serious action against people encroaching on forests, as this was one of the reasons landslides occurred.

 

The Nation

[Damen]

Combined with the pending "strike" this is not a good time to have a vacation planned in Phuket ::

[Pescator]

On the contrary. The pending strike will most likely have a beneficial side effect: No bar fine and I could imagine the strip along the beach in Patong turning into a Pattaya style walking street

 

I recall reading that the street at Kalim Beach right next to Patong was inaccessible due to mud slides.

That would mean that you couldn`t go from Patong to Kamala, Laem Singh, Surin etc. by this coast road.

Anyone here to confirm this ?

 

Cheers

Hua Nguu

[Damen]

That's looking on the bright side

 

Now, if we can line up on the street and get piss drunk while playing with the honey's, I'll have to agreee with you. ::