Phuket lifeguard president threatens to cut number of guards

[webfact]

Phuket lifeguard president threatens to cut number of guards
Phuket Gazette

Lifeguards close Karon Beach during dangerous surf last year. This year there may be fewer guards to protect tourists at all the beaches. Photo: Chutharat Plerin

PHUKET: -- The president of the island’s lifeguard club is threatening to slash the number of guards on Phuket beaches by 20 per cent, despite a 10 per cent increase in government funding.

“We have yet to decide whether we will agree to the 22mn baht contract,” Phuket Lifeguard Club President Prathaiyut Chuayuan told the Phuket Gazette. “If we renew the contract, I will have to cut staff by 20 per cent.”

The new contract represents a 2mn baht raise from last years’ 10-month contract, set to expire on April 27, and is the first raise after a three-year freeze.

However, Mr Prathaiyut said that the Phuket Lifeguard Club would be spending 3mn baht in upgrading equipment, and that the company wasn’t making enough money from the contract after paying upkeep costs and salaries.

The club’s spending is in addition to about 1mn baht the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (PPAO) sets aside to supply island lifeguards with radios, emergency oxygen tanks, binoculars, rescue boards, rescue floats and other essential lifesaving equipment, explained Nararit Touyon from the PPAO Tourism Department.

Despite Mr Prathaiyut's complaint that the company is not making enough money, the lifeguard chief expressed his desire to give raises to the lifeguards under his command.

“We have been working hard for three years on the same budget. My staff have never gotten a raise. Cutting down on our numbers is the only way I can do that,” Mr Prathaiyut said.

Lifeguards make between 15,000 and 18,000 baht a month, he said.

“We have 108 men working as lifeguards throughout the island daily. If we renew the contract and cut some of the staff, there will only be 88 men on duty – covering the same area – to look after people’s lives,” Mr Prathaiyut said.

Last year, the PPAO increased the number of lifeguard stations from 33 to 38 (story here), but the budget was not raised to support the increase (story here).

“We work hard and save people’s lives for little pay. Our lifeguards have big hearts and have in the past even volunteered to do their jobs without payment,” said Mr Prathaiyut.

Last year, 928 people were saved by lifeguards from Phuket’s waters. However, despite lifeguards’ efforts, 23 died, explained PPAO tourism officer Mr Nararit.

“Already, one foreigner and one Thai national have died this year; 41 people have been saved,” Mr Nararit added.

— Chutharat Plerin

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket-news/Phuket-lifeguard-president-threatens-cut-number-guards/29044#ad-image-0


-- Phuket Gazette 2014-04-04

[fatdrunkandstupid]

Perhaps he can start be firing the Phuket life guards who, although still receiving their monthly life guard salary, work full time in beach club bars, or driving taxis.

Or the ones who leave the country for several weeks while still receiving their salary.


Or the ones who, last year, where convicted (arrested then paid tea money) for selling drugs while working as a life guard.

Edited April 4, 2014 by fatdrunkandstupid

[CiaranO]

Perhaps he can start be firing the Phuket life guards who, although still receiving their monthly life guard salary, work full time in beach club bars, or driving taxis.

Or the ones who leave the country for several weeks while still receiving their salary.

Or the ones who, last year, where convicted (arrested then paid tea money) for selling drugs while working as a life guard.

D o you have any proof to these accusations ?

[NamKangMan]

Money before life - yet again.

[chooka]

Salaries??/ In Australia the majority of guards are volunteers only a very small handful of management are paid. Money is mostly raised through fundraising

[NanLaew]

Lovely picture that. So called 'lifeguards' planting red flags and warning placards while people are still walking into the surf.

[Procrastinator]

This article is probably more about using the media and public opinion as a bargaining tool, whilst the contract is still being negotiated.

Smart move really.

Hopefully cutting down on numbers wont happen, though scaling down activities during the low season is probably worthwhile.... As happens in most seasonal occupations.

[steelepulse]

This whole thing really is a fiasco. Phuket needs to get on par with the rest of the world when it comes to lifeguarding, meaning more equipment, better training and a much bigger budget for this vital service.

[cooked]

I worked as a lifeguard. I would never entrust my life or that of a family member to these guys for 5 minutes. We were always s**t scared that something would happen on our shift. These guys don't care

[Asur]

I spoke with lifeguard's crew in past low season. They had salary 10-12k.

Looks like somebody making kickback from their salaries. Cause most of them are myanmars (? I'm not sure, but it looks so).

[grumpyoldman]

This article is probably more about using the media and public opinion as a bargaining tool, whilst the contract is still being negotiated.

Smart move really.

Hopefully cutting down on numbers wont happen, though scaling down activities during the low season is probably worthwhile.... As happens in most seasonal occupations.

When the water is most dangerous?

Still a long way to go for lifeguarding Phuket but I tell you what, it's a whole lot better than 8-10 years ago.

[fatdrunkandstupid]

I spoke with lifeguard's crew in past low season. They had salary 10-12k.

Looks like somebody making kickback from their salaries. Cause most of them are myanmars (? I'm not sure, but it looks so).

All are Thai. If you "spoke" with them you would know that.

Edited April 5, 2014 by LivinginKata
insult removed

[Alwyn]

3 million baht upgrading equipment? What equipment? New Honda Clicks all around maybe?