Phuket’s beloved Lardyai walking street springs to life
Phuket’s famed Lardyai walking street on Thalang Road in Meuang district reopened yesterday (July 5), much to the delight of sellers and shoppers, after being closed for months amid the Covid-19 crisis.
“The province and the private sector have worked hard to make sure Lardyai walking street is safe and complies with social distancing practices to regain tourists’ confidence,” Phuket Governor Narong Woonchiew said while presiding over the reopening yesterday.
“We have expanded the shopping area from 3,500 to 5,500 square metres to reduce crowding and have set up thermo-scanning checkpoints at all six entrances. We are also providing free fabric face masks and hand sanitising gel to visitors, who need to check in and out via the Thai Chana application.”
The governor said the province invited 250 merchants and entrepreneurs in the area late last month to attend a training session on social distancing and Covid-19 prevention.
“The activity was funded by Phuket Municipality’s Health Insurance Fund and aimed to promote the new normal in tourism to revive the province’s economy, which has been severely affected by the outbreak,” he added.
Phuket Mayor Somjai Suwansupphana said Lardyai shopping district is more than 100 years old and covers an area of 210 rai along Thalang, Yaowarat, Krabi, Deebuk and Phuket roads.
“Surrounded by historic buildings with traditional Thai architecture, Lardyai was designated a Fine Arts Conservation Zone by the government back in 1992 and received the Asean Sustainable Tourism Award in 2018,” she said.
Lardyai walking street is now open every Sunday from 4pm to 10pm.
