Slashed budget puts Phuket lifeguard patrols in danger

Tanyaluk Sakoot

 

The move hopes to see more hotels stepping up to support Phuket's lifeguards. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot

 

PHUKET: -- A provincial council resolution to slash the Phuket lifeguards’ funding by 10 per cent threatens to cut the number of lifeguards patrolling the beaches.

 

The council resolution, voted in August and in effect from October, saw 19 council members voting to reduce the funding. Two council members abstained.

 

The budget cut, down to B19.8 million per year, is to remain in effect annually for three years.

 

“It is not worth paying B22 million for Phuket lifeguards,” PPAO Acting Chief Watcharin Patomwatthanapong told The Phuket News.

 

“We planned to reduce the budget by cutting unnecessary things out. We will also give hotels the chance to support the lifeguards in providing beach safety,” he said.

 

However, Mr Watcharin gave no definition of what was deemed “unnecessary”.

 

According to the announcement on the PPAO website, “The purpose of this project is is to boost people’s confidence in safety, defence and to protect tourists from loss or death.”

 

“I believe hotels will provide staff to support lifeguards on the beaches. Then we will have extra staff for tourists’ safety,” Mr Watcharin explained.

 

“It is a chance for hotels to be responsible and take care of their own guests as we join together to provide for their safety,” he added.

 

However, the PPAO has yet to clarify why the hotels would pay out of pocket to support lifeguards further when they already funded the lifeguard budget through the “Hotel tax” of 1% of each room rate charged at every registered hotel in the province.

 

Full story: http://www.thephuketnews.com/slashed-budget-puts-phuket-lifeguard-patrols-in-danger-60181.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2016-12-12

This is completely against all logic.  If anything, the beach lifeguards should be getting more money, more and newer equipment as well as more personnel.   Speaking of beaches, why isn't there a budget for more bins, some actual public facilities like showers, changing rooms and toilets like every other "world class beach destination"?

 

Aren't hotels already contributing to paying for lifeguard salaries by the taxes they pay.

 

Who are these 19 council members voting to cut funding on this?  Certainly not geniuses, that's for sure.

My guess is that the cut is motivated by reduced income because of fewer visitors. It does seem counter-intuitive and short-sighted though, given the regular media coverage of drownings and near escapes, won't exactly encourage more visitors.

Nothing new. This happens every year.

While at it they could also slash the budgets for road fixing because people should drive pickups anyways and maybe sell a few computers used at immigration - heard they have too many there at the airport. Oh oh, and the garbage disposal could make with some cuts too, can just burn it in the yard anyways... this is fun, where can I sign up?

1 hour ago, Dap said:

Nothing new. This happens every year.

You are right, its the usual screw up by the local authorities same,same for many years now

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The council resolution, voted in August and in effect from October, saw 19 council members voting to reduce the funding. Two council members abstained.

 

The budget cut, down to B19.8 million per year, is to remain in effect annually for three years.

 

“It is not worth paying B22 million for Phuket lifeguards,” PPAO Acting Chief Watcharin Patomwatthanapong told The Phuket News.

 

“We planned to reduce the budget by cutting unnecessary things out. We will also give hotels the chance to support the lifeguards in providing beach safety,” he said.

 

However, Mr Watcharin gave no definition of what was deemed “unnecessary”.

Definition of unnecessary:

 

Any item, function or service where it is not possible to siphon cash into one's own pocket.

If they are anything like the ones in Jomtien, it won't matter if "on patrol" or not. Last few days watched 3 of them sitting on motorbikes (Gee, maybe they should spread out? Cover more beach front?), have more clothes on then anyone else at the beach (how long would it take them to get into the water? Would they even go into the water?), and not even looking at the beach.....

They're a poor excuse for Lifeguards, rarely looking up from their phones or asleep in hammocks, but they do occasionally save lives. 

 

Not funding Lifeguards send a message that Thailand could care less about the tourists. This short sighted decision will bite them in the ass. 

Meanwhile, 10's of millions of baht are spent on signs, statues, empty buildings, fountains and other genius projects that have huge slush funds attached to them, but no way can any spare baht be used to make things better and safer for tourists.

Cut the budget but the Gov in another article bragging about how much income tourists generate.

 

Less horses on the beach, more well trained and effective lifeguards please.