Phuket to get year-round life guards

PHUKET, August 30, (TNA) – The southern resort island of Phuket is to employ year-round life guards on its beaches and introduce zoning for swimming as part of efforts to improve tourist safety, the head of the provincial administrative organization revealed today.

Mrs. Anchalee Wanich Thepbutr said that the provincial administrative organization had joined hands with the Navy to train more life guards to start work at the beginning of the tourism high season in November.

The life guards will initially be employed at the popular resorts of Kata-Karon, Patong, Ralia and Kamala, although the scheme will eventually be expanded to include other beaches on the island.

While in the past the island has employed life guards during the monsoon season, this year will be the first that life guards will be available to assist tourists on a year-round basis.

Noting that frequent drowning accidents in the past had marred the island’s tourism image, Mrs. Anchalee expressed hope that the presence of life guards would boost tourist confidence.

Most drowning incidents occur because tourists refuse to take heed of warning notices advising against swimming during the monsoon season.

Mrs. Anchalee said that the provincial administrative organization would also work with the Navy to determine specific risk areas, with a view to introduce swimming zones on the island.

-- TNA 2004-08-30

No point in having lifeguards in the high season; the seas are smooth. Another death (or near drowning) today (Monday) at Karon. No lifeguards. It's the low season where the deaths are and this low season (unlike last for some reason) there are no lifeguards!

...The life guards will initially be employed at the popular resorts of Kata-Karon, Patong, Ralia and Kamala...

Where's "Ralia"?

Four people have drowned in the last few days. They must be aware of the danger. Natural selection is in full force this season. Poor bastards. Those lifeguards couldn't come soon enough.