Karon beach remains open - Police Chief Martin C. Brody

[up2you2]

Do tourists have a divine right to commit suicide on Phuket's beaches, by ignoring the red flags?

I think we all agree that the reality of most dangerous beaches being closed during the monsoon season, with their deadly rip tides will never happen.
So what other practical measures could be initiated and enforced, to deter would be suicidal candidates to think twice.
Perhaps the jet ski operators could initially herd, kettle and corral prospective swimmers to one given access point to the water.
Before they reach it however they would have to go through, and pass a whole series of offers:

Water wing armbands
Travel agents offering to refund return tickets
Life insurance salesmen
Inheritance tax planners
Last will and testament lawyers
Representatives from all the religious denominations selling funeral packages
Last rites
Lottery ticket hawkers
Russian roulette facilities
And finally the you buy me one cola routine

If they are still up for it, razor wire and a minefield still have to be negotiated.

[Guest]

People have and should have right to take risks.. and bear consequences of their own actions.

One option is to place Death counters on the beaches. Similar as "safety firs" - "no accidents since" counters.

At the start of the year there would be "None have died on this beach this year - be the first?"

Later on the death counter could show the numbers, how many have been taken with the currents. That might be enough to make the most hard headed individuals stop and think.

[hansgruber]

Deport those who ignore the red rags fastened to tree branches.

They are trying to drown and give Phuket a bad name.

[eezergood]

People have and should have right to take risks.. and bear consequences of their own actions.

One option is to place Death counters on the beaches. Similar as "safety firs" - "no accidents since" counters.

At the start of the year there would be "None have died on this beach this year - be the first?"

Later on the death counter could show the numbers, how many have been taken with the currents. That might be enough to make the most hard headed individuals stop and think.

Agreed - the same agruement can be made for drugs!

Just sayin'

[robblok]

People have and should have right to take risks.. and bear consequences of their own actions.

One option is to place Death counters on the beaches. Similar as "safety firs" - "no accidents since" counters.

At the start of the year there would be "None have died on this beach this year - be the first?"

Later on the death counter could show the numbers, how many have been taken with the currents. That might be enough to make the most hard headed individuals stop and think.

Agreed - the same agruement can be made for drugs!

Just sayin'

Agreed about the beaches and drugs freedom of choice. But in both cases if it goes wrong dont expect help.

[IrishIvan]

Just look at the nationalities that keep popping up year after year, they are socially arkward in most situations and have no situational awareness either. They are the same nationalities that get run over by busses on scooters, and get rabies from monkeys and HIV from lady boys, food poisoning. The list goes on. I think the farang newspapers shouldnt even bother reporting stupidity. Because reporting stupidity from these idiots gives Phuket a bad name

[robblok]

Just look at the nationalities that keep popping up year after year, they are socially arkward in most situations and have no situational awareness either. They are the same nationalities that get run over by busses on scooters, and get rabies from monkeys and HIV from lady boys, food poisoning. The list goes on. I think the farang newspapers shouldnt even bother reporting stupidity. Because reporting stupidity from these idiots gives Phuket a bad name

Poor baby, you have been here too long.. bad news should not be reported as it damages your income stream.

[stevenl]

Just look at the nationalities that keep popping up year after year, they are socially arkward in most situations and have no situational awareness either. They are the same nationalities that get run over by busses on scooters, and get rabies from monkeys and HIV from lady boys, food poisoning. The list goes on. I think the farang newspapers shouldnt even bother reporting stupidity. Because reporting stupidity from these idiots gives Phuket a bad name

Poor baby, you have been here too long.. bad news should not be reported as it damages your income stream.

You're really barking up the wrong tree here.

[phuketrichard]

my observance from here in kamala Beach

they seem to leave the red flag up all the time now.

I swim every day at the beach around 5 pm, sometimes there is a rip,some times a bit off an off shore tide but most times there is not but the flags are always up.

Prehaps if tourists belive that the RED flag really means DANGER>

But than again everyone thinks, that does not apply to me, an I can swim!!!

Edited August 8, 2013 by phuketrichard

[stevenl]

my observance from here in kamala Beach

they seem to leave the red flag up all the time now.

I swim every day at the beach around 5 pm, sometimes there is a rip,some times a bit off an off shore tide but most times there is not but the flags are always up.

Prehaps if tourists belive that the RED flag really means DANGER>

But than again everyone thinks, that does not apply to me, an I can swim!!!

Yes, agree that they should be managing the flags more actively.

However, that does not change the fact that people are verbally warned when the conditions don't allow swimming, but they still decide to do so.

[robblok]

Just look at the nationalities that keep popping up year after year, they are socially arkward in most situations and have no situational awareness either. They are the same nationalities that get run over by busses on scooters, and get rabies from monkeys and HIV from lady boys, food poisoning. The list goes on. I think the farang newspapers shouldnt even bother reporting stupidity. Because reporting stupidity from these idiots gives Phuket a bad name

Poor baby, you have been here too long.. bad news should not be reported as it damages your income stream.

You're really barking up the wrong tree here.

Maybe, I don't know his personal situation, but not reporting accidents and other bad stuff because it gives Phuket a bad image sounds real Thai and / or aimed at protecting income.

Fact is that Phuket is sold as a year long beach holiday resort, so its only natural people want to swim then. Maybe a bit more of this should be known before tourists decide to go there. Like its highly likely you cant swim during ... xxxxx . Don't blame only the tourist blame the marketing too.

[stevenl]

Just look at the nationalities that keep popping up year after year, they are socially arkward in most situations and have no situational awareness either. They are the same nationalities that get run over by busses on scooters, and get rabies from monkeys and HIV from lady boys, food poisoning. The list goes on. I think the farang newspapers shouldnt even bother reporting stupidity. Because reporting stupidity from these idiots gives Phuket a bad name

Poor baby, you have been here too long.. bad news should not be reported as it damages your income stream.

You're really barking up the wrong tree here.

Maybe, I don't know his personal situation,

So you don't know his personal situation, but do feel you can accuse him of issues related to his personal situation.

Now the latter part of your post is your opinion and not aimed at a person, let a,one a person you know nothing about.

[IrishIvan]

No it doesnt affect my income in any way. Personally I couldnt care less if another Russian or Korean drowns because they are morons. The newspapers should report news worthy events. People drown every day all over the world its a non event, the reason they report it is scaremongering and this sells papers. The major newspapers in Phuket should just stick to writing restaurant reviews and selling real estate for farang shysters

Edited August 8, 2013 by IrishIvan

[stevenl]

No it doesnt affect my income in any way. Personally I couldnt care less if another Russian or Korean drowns because they are morons. The newspapers should report news worthy events. People drown every day all over the world its a non event, the reason they report it is scaremongering and this sells papers. The major newspapers in Phuket should just stick to writing restaurant reviews and selling real estate for farang shysters

And those reviews are news worthy events?

[phuketsub]

Part of the problem is that tourists in Karon get touted and hassled so much that they tend to tune out people who might really have important information for them. The same is true with the massive proliferation of signage in Karon, which is likely to cause some people to overlook the warning signs.

I once formerly asked ThaiAirAsia to ask their pilots to warn inbound passengers during monsoon season, but they chose not to.

[JetsetBkk]

Karon beach remains open - Police Chief Martin C. Brody

Strange name for a Thai. More like a name associated with Amity Island.

[robblok]

You're really barking up the wrong tree here.

Maybe, I don't know his personal situation,

So you don't know his personal situation, but do feel you can accuse him of issues related to his personal situation.

Now the latter part of your post is your opinion and not aimed at a person, let a,one a person you know nothing about.

The later part of my post that you so skilfully edited against regulations I might ad, has a lot to do with the whole case. You cant market a place a year long sun and beach only to find out that a part of a year its not suited for this. Then you can expect things like this. Especially if they leave flags on all the time people wont take notice to it.

You i know are affected by bad news, but you never stated to cover news up, the fact to cover bad news up in my opinion is repulsive. That was what fired my comment and I made a wrongful assumption. Too bad I make mistakes but at least im not one that suggests censorship of news.

[robblok]

Part of the problem is that tourists in Karon get touted and hassled so much that they tend to tune out people who might really have important information for them. The same is true with the massive proliferation of signage in Karon, which is likely to cause some people to overlook the warning signs.

I once formerly asked ThaiAirAsia to ask their pilots to warn inbound passengers during monsoon season, but they chose not to.

Good point, when I am out that way or actually out anyway near tourists you get constantly hassled it tends to make you ignore it all. Wrong but a natural response. But the hassling is never going to stop.

[phuketrichard]

my observance from here in kamala Beach

they seem to leave the red flag up all the time now.

I swim every day at the beach around 5 pm, sometimes there is a rip,some times a bit off an off shore tide but most times there is not but the flags are always up.

Prehaps if tourists belive that the RED flag really means DANGER>

But than again everyone thinks, that does not apply to me, an I can swim!!!

Yes, agree that they should be managing the flags more actively.

However, that does not change the fact that people are verbally warned when the conditions don't allow swimming, but they still decide to do so.

no verbal warnings here at Kamala,

Tourists just dont trust whatever they are told, Prehaps if someone ( TAT) made up fyers and placed them in the Hotel rooms advising not to swim when red flags are upan the lifegurds did not leave them up all the time, for whatever reason, things might be diferent.

BUT than it all goes to TAT promoting Phuket ( safe and no hassles)year round resort and the water is a big part of that.

[IrishIvan]

No it doesnt affect my income in any way. Personally I couldnt care less if another Russian or Korean drowns because they are morons. The newspapers should report news worthy events. People drown every day all over the world its a non event, the reason they report it is scaremongering and this sells papers. The major newspapers in Phuket should just stick to writing restaurant reviews and selling real estate for farang shysters

And those reviews are news worthy events?

They are probably the most accurate parts of the newspapers after the football results

Edited August 8, 2013 by IrishIvan

[stevenl]

my observance from here in kamala Beach

they seem to leave the red flag up all the time now.

I swim every day at the beach around 5 pm, sometimes there is a rip,some times a bit off an off shore tide but most times there is not but the flags are always up.

Prehaps if tourists belive that the RED flag really means DANGER>

But than again everyone thinks, that does not apply to me, an I can swim!!!

Yes, agree that they should be managing the flags more actively.

However, that does not change the fact that people are verbally warned when the conditions don't allow swimming, but they still decide to do so.

no verbal warnings here at Kamala,

Tourists just dont trust whatever they are told, Prehaps if someone ( TAT) made up fyers and placed them in the Hotel rooms advising not to swim when red flags are upan the lifegurds did not leave them up all the time, for whatever reason, things might be diferent.

BUT than it all goes to TAT promoting Phuket ( safe and no hassles)year round resort and the water is a big part of that.

I'm sure the beach guards are warning the swimmers, even in Kamala. Must admit though I have not seen that with my own eyes.

[phuketrichard]

my observance from here in kamala Beach

they seem to leave the red flag up all the time now.

I swim every day at the beach around 5 pm, sometimes there is a rip,some times a bit off an off shore tide but most times there is not but the flags are always up.

Prehaps if tourists belive that the RED flag really means DANGER>

But than again everyone thinks, that does not apply to me, an I can swim!!!

Yes, agree that they should be managing the flags more actively.

However, that does not change the fact that people are verbally warned when the conditions don't allow swimming, but they still decide to do so.

no verbal warnings here at Kamala,

Tourists just dont trust whatever they are told, Prehaps if someone ( TAT) made up fyers and placed them in the Hotel rooms advising not to swim when red flags are upan the lifegurds did not leave them up all the time, for whatever reason, things might be diferent.

BUT than it all goes to TAT promoting Phuket ( safe and no hassles)year round resort and the water is a big part of that.

I'm sure the beach guards are warning the swimmers, even in Kamala. Must admit though I have not seen that with my own eyes.

no one has said a word to me and i see swmmers everyday here and none are approached, at most i see them at the north end surfing

[stevenl]

Yes, agree that they should be managing the flags more actively.

However, that does not change the fact that people are verbally warned when the conditions don't allow swimming, but they still decide to do so.

no verbal warnings here at Kamala,

Tourists just dont trust whatever they are told, Prehaps if someone ( TAT) made up fyers and placed them in the Hotel rooms advising not to swim when red flags are upan the lifegurds did not leave them up all the time, for whatever reason, things might be diferent.

BUT than it all goes to TAT promoting Phuket ( safe and no hassles)year round resort and the water is a big part of that.

I'm sure the beach guards are warning the swimmers, even in Kamala. Must admit though I have not seen that with my own eyes.

no one has said a word to me and i see swmmers everyday here and none are approached, at most i see them at the north end surfing

Ok, thanks, they seem to have a different approach from those at beaches like Karon and Kata.

[I Like Thai]

What does the police Chief out of the Movie Jaws have to do with Karon Beach in Thailand ?

[up2you2]

It makes you wonder what is an acceptable loss of life - for some / unacceptable loss of life for others, before anything is done.
It's as if there is some kind of clandestine culling policy of tourists being implemented here. Natural selection of those that can pass application tests, and physical endurance.
It all boils down to the fact of what value do Thais put on a human life, and then again a tourist life.

[nakhonandy]

Lots of good points here.

TAT marketing. Lies

Flags out all the time. Boy who cried wolf

Simple answer. Know your own limits and stay within them.

Sent from my GT-P7500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[JetsetBkk]

Ok, thanks, they seem to have a different approach from those at beaches like Karon and Kata.

Years ago I was forcefully told to get out of the water by a lifeguard at Karon. I can't remember seeing any flags, red or otherwise, but I remember the water was a bit choppy.

So thank you, Mr. Lifeguard, you may have stopped me from becoming just another statistic.

[Jimi007]

It makes you wonder what is an acceptable loss of life - for some / unacceptable loss of life for others, before anything is done.

It's as if there is some kind of clandestine culling policy of tourists being implemented here. Natural selection of those that can pass application tests, and physical endurance.

It all boils down to the fact of what value do Thais put on a human life, and then again a tourist life.

I'm not really sure what you are expecting the lifeguards to do. They have no authority to close the beach. Hotels and airlines could put up warnings of the dangers in all languages with articles of the many people who die annually in the monsoon season, as well as TAT giving warnings, but of course they wouldn't do that, as it may well cut into their profits... But then again there is the Darwin effect that some people are too stupid to heed any type of warning they may receive...

[IrishIvan]

Who is Martin C Brody? And does he have a work permit to be Cheif of Police?

[andreandre]

What does the police Chief out of the Movie Jaws have to do with Karon Beach in Thailand ?

He was bored with retirement ....now has part time job....