Walking in Phuket

Thais in Phuket hate to walk more than just about anything. I suppose it comes from the easy parking, a relatively small volume of traffic, and the abundance of easily maneuverable motorbikes. Whatever the underlying reason, Phuket has been designed--well, "designed" is probably too kind a word--without consideration for the pedestrian.

Generally, large roads in the smaller towns will simply have no sidewalk at all. Things are a bit better in Phuket town, but the sidewalks that do exist are small and beset by an extraordinary range of obstacles from low hanging bars, loose electrical wires, pot holes, and street vendors taking up all the available space. In fairness, I don't think the Thais see this as a problem because only a crazy person would be walking anyway.

Crosswalks are the most dangerous. Despite being clearly marked with zebra stripes, traffic will simply not stop for you. I've crossed them with Thai friends at a leisurely pace while the Thais will run ahead to clear the road before the traffic. I point out that I have right of way in the crossing. The Thais ask me if that will make me feel better with a car on top of me--they have a point.

Going out with Thai friends, there is always an audible moan when I take the easy parking a few blocks away from the event rather than circle for half an hour to get a closer spot. Indeed, on our way walking there every taxi that passes honks at us to see if we want a ride--clearly we couldn't be walking somewhere!

Perhaps the most interesting features of this bias against walking is the parking pattern around busy events. Even the busiest events will have plenty of parking 500 meters away, however, as you get close, you'll start to see cars, bikes, and every other conceivable mode of transport crammed into every available spot, double parked, and often just idling in the middle of the road.

It might be something that warm climates just share, but Phuket and LA are in firm agreement that it's just not cool to walk anywhere.