No Lifeguards At Phuket Beaches

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Phuket beach safety delayed

An unmanned lifeguard tower at Patong Beach. The PPAO hopes to have lifeguards back in place in early March, before the onset of the monsoon season when most drownings occur.

PHUKET TOWN: -- The return of lifeguards to Phuket beaches has been delayed because no companies have bid for the contract to supply them.

The Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (PPAO) has had to sweeten the contractual terms to encourage more bidders to come forward.

The winning company will now have to supply beach guards for 10 months of the year instead of 12, as in the previous terms of reference. Payment for services will remain the same at five million baht.

PPAO president Paiboon Upatising announced in January that lifeguards would be serving the island’s beaches by the end of this month.

Mr Paiboon now says he expects to announce the winner of the new tender on March 8.

Bids must be submitted by March 2.

“I hope the budget is more attractive to prospective service providers this time around. The services will start as soon as we find the new firm,” Mr Paiboon said.

Last month, two companies expected to tender for the contract failed to attend appointments to present bids to the PPAO.

-- Phuket Gazette 2010-02-13

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[TheWalkingMan]

Too bad they cannot organize something for the safety of all users of the beach.

TheWalkingMan

[SM7WGP]

Who want to make a bid, when they already know that 5 mill is all they get , hmm maybe some want to try cheaper.

[Bagwan]

'Baywatch' Thai style. I can hardly wait. Never mind the gorgeous and probably 'binkie' men. Bring on the gels.

On second thoughts it can only be a fantasy. Thai ladies out in the sun in skimpy costumes thus getting darker skins? No way.

[eljeque]

Maybe the gov. can try hiring lifeguards directly??? :-)

[Donnyboy]

dear oh dear, not another Phuket PR disaster

[salty]

It would be awful if one of the jet ski operators got into difficulties.

[brahmburgers]

The bid protocol probably has a 5 mil baht ceiling, so any bidders are told they can't bid over 5 million. So if there are two bidders (or ten bidders) each will bid 5 million baht - then how to choose who gets the contract?

How about a gov't office (relatively uncorrupt, ha ha) which hires lifeguards like schools hire teachers.

[grumpyoldman]

Should look into bringing in Aussie Jr. Lifeguards for an internship program.

Put them up, feed them, these kids are great guards and would have fun.

[Somrak]

Phuket "the Lifeguarde Hub" who does not care!

[brahmburgers]

Should look into bringing in Aussie Jr. Lifeguards for an internship program.

Put them up, feed them, these kids are great guards and would have fun.

good idea #6499 that can't be implemented here in Thailand. Aussie juniors can swim and perform lifeguard duties better than Thais twice their age, so it would be too humbling for the local boys.

[DP25]

I don't think their meager 5 million baht budget is quite enough to cover food, housing, and beer for a bunch of young Aussies for 10 months