No one can do much about the current large scale construction projects, and in-turn the traffic jams, noise and pollution that is currently affecting Bangtao, Surin and Chergntalay right now but the question is, will the government, individuals and business owners in Bangtao take it upon themselves to embrace lifestyle changes required? Time will tell, but in truth, and looking at the current state of things in high season 2025 and 2026 around the Bangtao beach road, I personally do not think so.
Unfortunately the temptation of money still ravages the soil and wildlife around Bangtao & Cherngtalay in 2025 and 2026, and in-turn it brings more traffic, more construction, and more damage to the environment, so who really cares? It seems like no one in the local authority does. They just hand out permits for construction, and don’t even think about the now and future environmental consequences, the traffic jams, guests to Thailand not even being able to walk along the road, and maybe in-turn the loss of future tourism all because of the lack of planning. Well done?
The bottom line is the Bangtao beach road is to narrow. What makes it worse is that all the motorbike tuk tuks, parked cars and mini busses fill up the road on one side making it even narrower. In one section the motorbike tuk tuks surround a restaurant on the road-side, which in-turn obstructing pedestrians walking in, as well as leaving no space for guests to park their rental motorbikes or enter.
Recently, over the last few years, and due to the traffic jams along the main road from Surin to Chergntalay, drivers have started to try and beat the jams around Cherngtalay by driving down to the Bangtao beach road, thinking that this would be a quick route. Unfortunately everyone else is thinking the same so now the traffic along the beach road is diabolical. Once again it all goes back to the parking rules and zones again.
Even in the last year (2025) the beach road from Surin to the north side of Bangtao beach has massively changed with many new road-side constructions, new supermarkets and under-construction condominiums. Why? Bottom line it’s due to inadequate infrastructure planning driven by profits. It’s really that simple.
Even right now in peak season (Late Dec 2025 to Jan 2026) they decided to start to build a TOPS daily mini market right out-side the Arinara Resort on the beach road. High season!! What happened to ‘no construction during high season’?
Also, tourists and locals can no longer walk safely along the beach road, the fumes and pollution from the cars, mini buses, delivery vans, motorbikes, and massive concrete trucks is over-whelming, and the noise is simply unbearable now at peake times.
Current Bangtao Traffic Situation at Bang Tao (2026)
Right now the traffic congestion is heaviest between 07:30 – 09:30 and 16:00 – 19:00 from the Surin beach road, up by 7-11 outside the ‘Best Western Resort’, all the way past the ‘Arinara Resort’ to the turning at TOPS daily market by the ‘Sunwing Resort’, and then along to Maya beach turning and beyond. The main road from Surin to Chergtalay is probably worse.
Heavy Congestion Jams are common on the main access roads, with travel times to the nearest beaches often taking 15 to 30 minutes during peak hours.
Possible Fix
Like I wrote, the beach road is simply too narrow, and with all new construction and illegally parked tuk tuks, cars and vans on the side of the road, and also large concrete trucks hogging the road, jams are now constant and the safety of tourists walking along the road must be looked at.
Even with the new resurfaced road, it’s just as congested as before, and it will 100% only get worse once all the new condominiums and and road-side building are completed, meaning more traffic, more road-side illegal parking, and if the worst happens, a tourist or child getting run over.
Going by the above most logical people would think that it all comes down to parking rules, curb markings to stop illegal parking, parking zones, and actually building a by-pass road. No one can really do much about the current construction or under construction condominium and shops being built all along the beach road but the traffic can be eased IF the police actually enforce the law, which currently they are not doing along the beach road. Why? Is it because the local Cherngtalay police are local and do not want to upset the locals who are illegally parking. Um, I wonder.
Unfortunately there is simply not enough road room to have a road-side walking space so people can safely walk or ride a bicycle, but if the parking zones, illegal parking, and Red and White / Yellow and White curb markings are added, or updated, this in-turn will ease the traffic.
Now then. Thai law states that Illegal parking rules in Bangtao, as in the rest of Phuket and Thailand, are based on national traffic laws and specific road markings, which Bangtao needs, and needs to be enforced.
General Illegal Parking Situations & Thai Law
* Beyond curb markings, other actions constitute illegal parking offenses:
Parking on a sidewalk or footway.
Parking within 10 meters of an intersection or 3 meters of a crosswalk.
Parking in a way that obstructs traffic flow or access to building entrances/exits.
Parking against the flow of traffic (facing the wrong direction).
Double parking next to other parked cars.
Parking in a bus stop area (within 15 meters before or 3 meters after the sign).
Just looking at the above laws, the ‘Parking against the flow of traffic’, ‘Parking in a way that obstructs traffic flow or access to building entrances/exits’, and ‘Parking within 10 meters of an intersection or 3 meters of a crosswalk’ traffic laws are far from enforced by the police or anyone else. Just look at all the motorbike tuk tuks lining the main road, and around the corner, close to the Arinara Resort, and also all the parked cars and vans from there to the ‘Best Western Resort’ and beyond. Are they parking against the flow of traffic, facing the right way or blocking / obstructing traffic flow? It states that ‘The Police in the Cherng Talay (Bangtao) area conduct regular enforcement’ for traffic violations? Really?
So say the Police in the Cherng Talay (Bangtao) area conduct regular enforcement, and violations can result in fines and/or your vehicle being clamped or towed. Really? Look at the Thai law concerning traffic below, and then have a look at the Bangtao beach road around 5 or 6pm onwards. It’s all down to illegal parking.
So, a few online sources, such as the people interviewed on the ‘Phuket News’, have suggested that “Public transportation can be helped by expanding bus routes” but in my view this would just make it worse. “‘Police Sgt Piyawut’ agreed that illegal parking, especially by taxis, is a major issue. Most cars stop only shortly, but it happens so often that it becomes a constant problem. We lock wheels every day, but some drivers take off before we can get there”. In my view blaming it on the taxi’s alone is wrong, and stating that the police lock wheels everyday is basically not happening along the Bangtao beach road as far as I can tell.
Surely, simply enforcing the parking rules and laws mentioned above, adding parking zones, and adding’No parking’ or ‘Short-term parking’ curb markings will make it more safe for tourists and locals, plus ease the traffic. Plus, a MUST is the bypass road, from before Surin to the North of Bangtao / Cherngtalay. It must be looked at asap.
Positive Note
Yes, on a positive note, they have finally resurfaced the beach road close the the Best Western and Arinara Resorts, up to a certain point, but this alone makes absolutely no difference. Sorry, that’s about it on the positive note for now. Hopefully more examples will come here but not right now.
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