Phuket Beach Guard Starts February

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Phuket beach guard starts February

An unmanned beach guard tower at Patong Beach, where lifeguard services have been unavailable this high season. There have been no reports of drowning deaths at the beach so far this year.

PHUKET: Beach guards are set to begin ensuring safety at Phuket beaches again in February, the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (PPAO) has announced.

PPAO President Paiboon Upatising said he would announce the winners of two five-million-baht contracts to provide lifeguard services at west coast beaches on January 29.

Last year, LP Laikham Co held a single contract to supply beach guards at 22 points on Phuket beaches.

The contract with LP Laikham expired on November 12 and was not renewed due to ‘managerial issues,’ according to the PPAO.

For our previous story, click here.

This year the beaches included in the project will be divided into two zones: north and south.

Companies winning contracts will provide lifeguards and safety equipment at beaches under their jurisdiction.

South zone beaches and the required coverage is as follows:

Nai Harn: 2 stations, 6 beach guards;

Ya Nui: 1 station, 2 beach guards;

Kata Noi: 1 station, 3 beach guards;

Kata: 2 stations, 6 beach guards;

Karon: 4 stations, 12 beach guards;

Patong: 4 stations, 12 beach guards.

Total: 14 units, 41 beach guards.

North zone beaches and the required coverage is as follows:

Laem Singh: 1 station, 3 beach guards;

Kamala: 2 stations, 6 beach guards;

Surin: 2 stations, 6 beach guards;

Bang Tao: 4 stations, 12 beach guards;

Nai Thon: 1 station, 4 beach guards;

Nai Yang: 2 stations, 6 beach guards;

Mai Khao: 2 stations, 6 beach guards.

Total: 14 units, 42 beach guards.

Mr Paiboon warned tourists that the presence of beach guards did not mean they should ignore red flags warning against swimming.

“No matter how many beach guards we have, we can’t protect tourists’ lives if they don’t obey the beach guards’ advice,” he said.

-- Phuket Gazette 2010-01-21

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[JetsetBkk]

So lets close the beaches until then, shall we?

[chiang mai]

And how many people die in the meantime, an absolute joke and truly embarrassing.

[LivinLOS]

Well we have managed every year until now.. And its low season when the real danger exists..

“No matter how many beach guards we have, we can’t protect tourists’ lives if they don’t obey the beach guards’ advice,” he said.

This is very true, and at the same time guards need to know how to speak to and handle farangs who dont have an immediate bowing to authority.. The communication and explanation, as well as recognizing who is an at risk person and who is competent etc.. There must be some cultural understanding and not allowing face issues to intervene.. And the farangs should listen to what they are told also, it helps if the lifeguards appear to know whats going on rather than appear to be asleep or non water people.

[happyinkathu]

And how many people die in the meantime, an absolute joke and truly embarrassing.

Not really a joke and embarrassing at all as it is very unlikely that any people will drown in the high season on Phuket beaches. Because of the calm water conditions in the high season, very large waves and big rips are basically non existant. . But this is a slight risk.You can drown in the bath....

Come the next low season with the acompanied ''surfable swells'' and the associated rips, thats when the lifeguards are needed, but they must be trained to a high standard[ similar to aussie ones].

But it still comes down to the individuals, and taking responsibilty for your own actions!!

Aussie beaches have a very low drowning rate inside the patroled area flags, but the amount of fools who swim outside the flags, and/or who refuse to heed the warnings of lifeguards frequently find themselves in big trouble....and then expect to be rescued.

[Valentine]

And how many people die in the meantime, an absolute joke and truly embarrassing.

During the high season it is pretty hard to drown as the waters are calm, no rips, no big waves. Any drowning at this time would likely be a side effect of a seizure, heart attack, whacked by a jet ski.