Phuket Opinion: Time To Rein In The Beach Cowboys, And Those Who Do Not Govern Them

[Lite Beer]

Phuket Opinion: Time to rein in the beach cowboys, and those who do not govern them

Phuket Gazette –

Phuket's daily carnival of swimmers, speedboats, jet-skis, cowboys... and lethal lawlessness

PHUKET: Given the events that have occurred at Phuket's beaches in recent weeks, it is difficult to ascertain which is the greater maritime threat: natural phenomena such as the rough monsoon seas that claim the lives of scores of overconfident swimmers every year – or the juvenile carnival that gets underway when the winds subside and the beach business operators return to the water with the same recklessness that we suffer on our roads.

In the latest catastrophe, the holiday of Russian tourist Nikolai Nefedov came to a horrific end last Friday afternoon when he was struck off Kata Beach by the propeller of a speedboat used to tow airborne tourists under para-sails. (See front page story, current issue of the Phuket Gazette. Digital subscribers click here to download the full issue.)

The incident re-exposed long-standing problems with the behavior of the many cowboys who operate beach businesses on the island with little or no regulation, and with roughly the same amount of common sense.

Mr Nefedov was reportedly a strong swimmer who attempted to dive to safety when the terrifying boat came at him. While the dive may have saved his life, it did not spare him multiple fractures, deep cuts, bruises and a partially severed leg.

The fact that he was among a group of swimmers in shallow water clearly indicates that the speedboat failed to even use a spotter. Wittnesses said the boat operator was alone at the time of the incident, and that he hesitated before returning to assist the Russian aboard.

Then, after dropping his victim on the beach, he promptly fled the scene, as is common practice in road accidents here.

Writing from Russia, Mr Nefedov’s daughter Ilya contacted the Phuket Gazette to ask that we “trace the development of the incident in order to avoid similar accidents” in the future. Her message suggests disbelief that such an accident could happen here, and reveals a notion that it was a one-off, whereas it was, in fact, far from unique.

Sadly, this was not a case of breached safety protocols. At most popular Phuket beaches, the lack of clear markings as to where vessels can approach shore, coupled with an almost complete lack of oversight and enforcement of law, makes it difficult to believe that such accidents do not occur far more often than they do.

Although the law requires that boat operators – even jet-ski drivers – hold a Thai captain's license, it is common knowledge that few do. And the regulations with regard to licensing and insurance are violated daily on a wholsale basis.

It is very important that the authorities now find and charge with negligence the operator of the speedboat that struck Mr Nefedov. It should not be difficult to find him as his colleauges at the beach know who he is.

Finally, it's time for the marine police to come out of hiding. They need to switch allegiances to the public and begin to put teeth into the laws on boat safety and operator licensing – and to do so in the most visible manner possible. Without this, continued injuries and deaths at the beach are guaranteed.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/archives/articles/2011/article11668.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2011-12-11

[LivinginKata]

I wonder who writes these "Phuket Opinion" articles?? I agree completely with the writers sentiment and examples. The problem is that no-one in power/authority is the least bit interested in correcting the problems.

[KarenBravo]

When Phuripat Theerakulpisut, Chief of Phuket's Marine Office 5 described this accident as "natural" and said that it didn't "warrant his attention", then what hope is there for things to improve?

[stevenl]

I wonder who writes these "Phuket Opinion" articles?? I agree completely with the writers sentiment and examples. The problem is that no-one in power/authority is the least bit interested in correcting the problems.

Yes, totally agree. And also take into account that the longer the wait to correct things the more difficult it becomes to correct.

[KarenBravo]

To put it briefly, the people who are supposed to be part of the solution are actually a major part of the problem.

[LivinginKata]

To put it briefly, the people who are supposed to be part of the solution are actually a major part of the problem.

You got that right. And they are also taking a big chunk of the profits ...

[Jimi007]

Thankfully boats and jet skis aren't allowed at Nai Harn. But I do see more dinghies from private yachts coming ashore. The whole thing with the beaches, black plate taxis, tuk tuks, etc, has gotten way out of hand on this island. Some people think they can and do get away with almost anything and the rest of the people either don't care or suffer... It's good to see the press, even if it is the PG, is saying something. Although we all know, sadly nothing will change...

Edited December 11, 2011 by Jimi007