Phuket Gov visits troubled Racha Yai Island

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Phuket Gov visits troubled Racha Yai Island

Naraporn Tuarob

Between looking at Racha Yai's troubles, the Governor took time to meet tourists visiting the island.

PHUKET: Governor Maitree Intusut went to inspect Racha Yai Island yesterday (October 12) with officials from Phuket, following a complaint from Sarit Jundee, Head of the Racha Conservation Group, that the death toll among tourists was too high.

Before the meeting Mr Sarit told The Phuket News, “We don’t have proper life guards here. When tourists get into trouble in the water, the ones who help them are hotel staff or other tourists.”

At the meeting it was proposed that lifeguards be hired from among people on Racha Yai, with support from the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (OrBorJor), which funds the lifeguards on Phuket Island.

Mr Sarit told the meeting that most tourists who drown are not wearing buoyancy aids. He added, “I think the ratio of guides to tourists is not high enough. You have one guide taking care of 30 to 40 tourists – they can’t keep an eye on all of them.

“Moreover, many tourists see the red no-swimming flags and are warned about the rip currents. But they don’t listen. They ignore the flags. They don’t care about the warnings.

“Some of them say they are good swimmers but when the time comes they can’t survive.

Governor Maitree said, “It’s about individuals. Even when we do what we can to try to prevent [drownings] they ignore it. It’s really hard.”

The meeting also discussed uncontrolled sewage on the island, with the Governor and officials visiting sewage outfalls. He ordered officials to visit the resorts that appear to be releasing the sewage.

The problem of tourists speedboats dropping anchor in coral was also discussed. Director of the Marine Department Phuripat Theerakulphisut said, “We can fine them [if we catch them]. And if they still ignore the regulations, we can cancel their operating license.”

The problems aired will be discussed in full at a meeting scheduled for Tuesday (October 15) at Provincial Hall.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-gov-visits-troubled-racha-yai-island-42326.php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

-- Phuket News 2013-10-13

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Racha islander: Health center necessary to save tourists’ lives
Phuket Gazette -

PHUKET: Racha Yai islanders on Saturday urged Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut to build a health center on the popular day-trip isle as one way to solve the problem of tourist drownings there.

The Chinese embassy has already promised money to support the construction of the center, they said.

“To save tourists’ lives, we need a health center on the island. Right now victims need to be transferred to the mainland for advanced medical help, and it takes too long, about 50 minutes,” said Sarit Jandee, head of the Racha Island Conservation Club.

“The island has only one nurse, employed by The Racha hotel. She responds when there is an emergency, but sometimes the victims need more advanced medical help,” Mr Sarit said.

He asked the governor to provide a doctor and a nurse to staff the medical center, saying that islanders would provide land for the center free of charge, and the Chinese embassy would build the structure.

The request came while Governor Maitri was visiting the island in response to an ultimatum issued by Mr Sarit, who on October 3 asked the government to deal with tourist safety within 15 days or, he said, islanders would set their own safety conditions for tour companies (story here).

In addition to the health center, Mr Sarit also stressed the need for lifeguards and for more training of guides who bring day-trippers to the island.

In response, Krit Sakulpat, the deputy chief of the Phuket Provincial Health Office, said he would analyze the feasibility of a health center.

“We need to consider the registered population, the number of visitors and the severity of health problems,” he said.

“It is possible to open a health center – maybe not with a doctor on staff 24 hours, but one who comes to work at peak times,” he said.

According to Mr Sarit, 50 people are registered residents, but about 700 more, hotel staff and residents, also live on the island. About 500 tourists stay overnight on the island, he said.

As for day-trippers, Mr Sarit said the number varies substantially depending on the season and weather. He had previously stated that 800 to 1,000 day-trippers visit the island on any given day during the low season (story here).

Governor Maitri set a meeting for tomorrow to discuss tourists’ safety at Koh Racha Yai, along with other longstanding island problems, including improper wastewater disposal, garbage, insufficient number of moorings and speedboat controls.

During his walking inspection of the island, Gov Maitri chatted with tourists.

“If you think this island is as beautiful as I do, please tell your friends to visit. We will improve our measures to make it safer here for everyone,” he told one visitor.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/Racha-islander-Health-center-necessary-to-save-tourists-lives-22500.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2013-10-14