So what is it with these guys who hang around on the beaches of Phuket - pretending to be "life-guards" while people drown? They can't even swim, they have no life-saving equipment... it's a joke!!!

I see a shiny new 4WD parked on Nai Harn Beach , with a shiny "Beach Guard" logo ... the tower is 'sponsored' by a local private hospital with the emergency telephone number in LARGE letters ... but I have NEVER seen these "beach guards" save a soul .... normally it is local surfers who go to the rescue of swimmers in distress.

What a joke! Especially after all the international media attention and sponsors after the tsuanami. Shame shame! Nothing has changed....

None can swim that is a cert. I watched a Japanese man drowning last year, a surfer had to go to his aid as the beach guard was asleep. He was woken up and he said "not my job". My wife asked what his actual job was and he said, he had to make sure people were swimming between the flags.

I suppose "beach guard" means the same as "security guard" a great sleeper with no formal training and a waste of time and money.

I have wondered about this too.

However. I have seen them rescue someone.

The lads legged it in, Hasslehoff style, complete with orange buoyancy thingy, and saved a child.

I dont actually know if they are trained or paid or what.

I have also seen the beach boys save someone by using their own jet ski.

This was at Kata Yai.

Be nice to think they were trained and paid though, esp at this time of year eh

I took this picture at Patong in August. A couple of Brits got into trouble in the surf. A board rider got to them first, but a little guy in orange carrying a flotation device a la Baywatch also went charging into the water to help.

http://www.thaisnews.com/news_detail.php?newsid=184669

Exactly the guys am thinking of when I wonder - are they trained and can they swim? The jetski on Nai Harn beach sits there going rusty on the beach and the only "life-saving" that goes on is from farang surfers and swimmers, while the "guards" play volleyball...

Are the "guards" trained ... and by whom????? Nai Harn has many near-drownings - as do most Phuket beaches.

Protect the tourists? What a joke!!!

Well perhaps they should post signs swim at your own risk???

Well perhaps they should post signs swim at your own risk???

4 million tourists a year attracted by white-sand beaches...

PHUKET: " SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK!!! "

Nice brand-slogan...

Well perhaps they should post signs swim at your own risk???

4 million tourists a year attracted by white-sand beaches...

PHUKET: " SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK!!! "

Nice brand-slogan...

Good Marketing campaign - Dangerous/Exotic Phuket, always an adventure when you go swimming at the beach.

I've seen these guys also in their shiny new pick-up. I have never seen them do anything on our local beach. There is a lookout tower that is never manned......

Another case of money being wasted...

Simon

but they look good in the shiny new car

None can swim that is a cert. I watched a Japanese man drowning last year, a surfer had to go to his aid as the beach guard was asleep. He was woken up and he said "not my job". My wife asked what his actual job was and he said, he had to make sure people were swimming between the flags.

I suppose "beach guard" means the same as "security guard" a great sleeper with no formal training and a waste of time and money.

Interesting tale Tornado: red flags all over the beaches today and not a "beach guard" in sight despite at least 50 people swimming in 'apparent calm conditions'. I was caught in a slight current , but hey - I can swim and I'm an Aussie and know what to do - others were not so calm.

Meanwhile, floating serenely at the back of the breakers - staring back onshore at the ridiculous "tsunami towers" - there was not a "beach guard" anywhere to be seen.... only a matter of time before the farce reaches the international press!!!

None can swim that is a cert. I watched a Japanese man drowning last year, a surfer had to go to his aid as the beach guard was asleep. He was woken up and he said "not my job". My wife asked what his actual job was and he said, he had to make sure people were swimming between the flags.

I suppose "beach guard" means the same as "security guard" a great sleeper with no formal training and a waste of time and money.

Interesting tale Tornado: red flags all over the beaches today and not a "beach guard" in sight despite at least 50 people swimming in 'apparent calm conditions'. I was caught in a slight current , but hey - I can swim and I'm an Aussie and know what to do - others were not so calm.

Meanwhile, floating serenely at the back of the breakers - staring back onshore at the ridiculous "tsunami towers" - there was not a "beach guard" anywhere to be seen.... only a matter of time before the farce reaches the international press!!!

Not a good situation K, might be an idea to bring it to light in the Gazette (Q&A) and see what the local council comes back with. Especially this time of year as the weather is fining up, but the waves/rips are still around.

Tornado's swimming tips if caught in a rip, swim parallel to the shore, do not fight the current, let it take you out and then swim as described above.... tongue in cheek ofcourse, but also true.

Plans are in motion for a Surf Club in Australia to come over to Patong and train up the life guards to Australian (international?) standards

They will be involved for at least 5 years with a view to also developing jnr lifeguard programs and eventually a life savers club house.

They have the backing of the local municpality as well as the marine police.

Not an immediate fix, and only in one location but at least its a start

Back in the UK have seen people swimming in the sea with 2 meter waves comming in - the flags were out and nearly being ripped off their poles in the wind. So much for paying attention to the warnings so its not just Thailand.

None can swim that is a cert. I watched a Japanese man drowning last year, a surfer had to go to his aid as the beach guard was asleep. He was woken up and he said "not my job". My wife asked what his actual job was and he said, he had to make sure people were swimming between the flags.

I suppose "beach guard" means the same as "security guard" a great sleeper with no formal training and a waste of time and money.

Interesting tale Tornado: red flags all over the beaches today and not a "beach guard" in sight despite at least 50 people swimming in 'apparent calm conditions'. I was caught in a slight current , but hey - I can swim and I'm an Aussie and know what to do - others were not so calm.

Meanwhile, floating serenely at the back of the breakers - staring back onshore at the ridiculous "tsunami towers" - there was not a "beach guard" anywhere to be seen.... only a matter of time before the farce reaches the international press!!!

Not a good situation K, might be an idea to bring it to light in the Gazette (Q&A) and see what the local council comes back with. Especially this time of year as the weather is fining up, but the waves/rips are still around.

Tornado's swimming tips if caught in a rip, swim parallel to the shore, do not fight the current, let it take you out and then swim as described above.... tongue in cheek ofcourse, but also true.

Thanks for the news Phuketdiver - Any further info most appreciated, some contact details even. I'd like to follow this up...

Cheers!

Plans are in motion for a Surf Club in Australia to come over to Patong and train up the life guards to Australian (international?) standards

They will be involved for at least 5 years with a view to also developing jnr lifeguard programs and eventually a life savers club house.

They have the backing of the local municpality as well as the marine police.

Not an immediate fix, and only in one location but at least its a start

Back in the UK have seen people swimming in the sea with 2 meter waves comming in - the flags were out and nearly being ripped off their poles in the wind. So much for paying attention to the warnings so its not just Thailand.

None can swim that is a cert. I watched a Japanese man drowning last year, a surfer had to go to his aid as the beach guard was asleep. He was woken up and he said "not my job". My wife asked what his actual job was and he said, he had to make sure people were swimming between the flags.

I suppose "beach guard" means the same as "security guard" a great sleeper with no formal training and a waste of time and money.

Interesting tale Tornado: red flags all over the beaches today and not a "beach guard" in sight despite at least 50 people swimming in 'apparent calm conditions'. I was caught in a slight current , but hey - I can swim and I'm an Aussie and know what to do - others were not so calm.

Meanwhile, floating serenely at the back of the breakers - staring back onshore at the ridiculous "tsunami towers" - there was not a "beach guard" anywhere to be seen.... only a matter of time before the farce reaches the international press!!!

Not a good situation K, might be an idea to bring it to light in the Gazette (Q&A) and see what the local council comes back with. Especially this time of year as the weather is fining up, but the waves/rips are still around.

Tornado's swimming tips if caught in a rip, swim parallel to the shore, do not fight the current, let it take you out and then swim as described above.... tongue in cheek ofcourse, but also true.

Thanks for the news Phuketdiver - Any further info most appreciated, some contact details even. I'd like to follow this up...

Cheers!

Sounds like an article in the making....