ISLA petitions US Embassy over Phuket lifeguards, launches global petition

The Phuket News

 

 

PHUKET:-- The International Surf Lifesaving Association (ISLA) today posted online its petition calling for people to support its call for the US State Department to issue a “Level Three Travel Advisory” for Phuket.

 

The advisory, if issued, would warn travellers about the dangerous surf conditions along Phuket’s west coast during the southwest monsoon and the current state of lifeguard coverage at Phuket’s beaches.

 

The launch comes as Daren Jenner, the ISLA Marine Safety Warrant Officer for Phuket, visited officials at the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok today (May 15).

 

Full Story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/isla-petitions-us-embassy-over-phuket-lifeguards-launches-global-petition-67128.php#5HqssxKogxXdvDzB.97

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2018-5-15

Good work. If Embassies do start sticking up travel warnings, I suspect we will see an urgent, though long overdue, resolution of the Life Savers situation down there. Beaches with strong currents, riptides and no lifeguards, is a recipe for multiple disasters. People should be warned when somewhere is a dangerous place to go. Especially if negligence is causing much of the danger.

If the army had not asked the volunteer life guards to leave the beach we would not be in this situation in the first place.

This reminds me of a lesson I was taught in school regarding the volunteer fire departments.

The first fire departments were created by volunteers, men and women that would risk their lives for the greater good of the community. This continued on for thousands of years.

Benjamin Franklin started one of the first volunteer fire departments in the United States. He refused to pay people stating that if a man is paid for this job he will only work as hard as he is paid, but a volunteer will give their life for the greater good.

In this case the island is  not plagued with fires threatening the great good of the community, our dangers are in the water and the water is what draws the tourists (Phukets life line)

IMHO I feel that we need a a solid volunteer lifeguard unit that will not cast demands on the government and hold the safety of our beaches hostage. 

I understand that these people need support but I feel that support should come from our local businesses and community that thrive in the tourist industry. We should not have to call on BKK or ask the US embassy for support.

 

But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

So, we go from not having lifeguards, due to whatever cock up, to volunteers giving cover.

The army then turn up and subsequently prevent them from saving lives, on multiple, now unguarded beaches.

Meanwhile, beach conditions will likely worsen.

I have to confess to being almost unable to wait for TAT's explanation of this.

 

11 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

calling for people to support its call for the US State Department to issue a “Level Three Travel Advisory” for Phuket.

 

The advisory, if issued, would warn travellers about the dangerous surf conditions along Phuket’s west coast during the southwest monsoon and the current state of lifeguard coverage at Phuket’s beaches.

the ant talking to the elephant, content wouldn't have any effect anyway

The global warning should be extended to all Thai beaches, IMHO.

 

And while we are at it, the international automobile associations, should warn their national entities on the dangers of surfing on Thai Roads as well !!!!

 

Sorry boys, but aiming to be a world class country requires a minimum of effort, infrastructure and safety,  for all.

 

 

14 hours ago, ThreeEyedRaven said:

I have to confess to being almost unable to wait for TAT's explanation of this.

 

TAT's spin might have something along the lines of, "Phuket's beaches are unencumbered by any sort of clutter on the beach itself."

 

Good stuff, at least they're trying to affect a change, hope everyone on here opens the link to the original article, reads through, then opens the link at the bottom to sign the petition.

Good on ya ISLA.