PHUKET: Reducing the number of drownings of tourists and residents at Phuket's holiday beaches was a top priority, the island's governor, Maitree Intrusud, told a meeting yesterday.
Key organisations associated with marine safety on and around Phuket met in the first of a series of Andaman Coastal Safety Summits.
''Safety on Phuket means no deaths and it also means clean water,'' he said, referring to the quality of the seawater at Phuket beaches.
It's believed the toll from drownings at Phuket beaches and at day-trip destinations stands at 33 for the year so far, although regular official monthly updates have not been issued since April, 2012.
The President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, Paiboon Upatising, expressed deep regret at the toll. The organisation funds Phuket's 108 lifeguards at 13 beaches.
''Phuket has tried so hard to warn tourists not to go into the sea but they go into the sea no matter what,'' he said.
''There are so many drownings, even though we have tried so hard.''
Phuketwan believes more effort should be made by all Phuket resorts in warning their guests verbally on check-in about dangers and by teaching all their staff to observe beach conditions and pass on their knowledge to visitors.
Much more work needs to be done on the proactive, preventive side, although lifeguards certainly also need a staff increase, jetskis with sleds and defibrilators to save more lives.
Khun Paiboon also dealt with the issue of marine rescues at yesterday's meeting at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation offices.
He suggested that to avoid confusion among different organisations, the waters around Phuket should be ''banded.''
The Royal Thai Navy would have responsibility for rescues in the open sea, Marine Police would be responsible for a medium-level band, and Phuket's coastal authorities would take care of the area close to the beaches.
Lieutenant Colonel Chatchai Sakdee, Inspector with the Phuket Marine Police, said that lifejackets in a greater variety of sizes needed to be provided to ensure greater safety on speedboats and ferries.
He also noted that the Marine Police needed more staff - ''we have more boats than we have officers,'' he said.
Marine safety has become an increasing concern with the number of drownings on Phuket. With the help of the British Embassy, a new group, Safety Phuket, is working with key official organisations.
An Andaman Marine Safety Summit is to be held over two days in tandem with the Phuket International Boat Show at the Royal Phuket Marina next month.
Key organisations associated with marine safety on and around Phuket met in the first of a series of Andaman Coastal Safety Summits.
''Safety on Phuket means no deaths and it also means clean water,'' he said, referring to the quality of the seawater at Phuket beaches.
It's believed the toll from drownings at Phuket beaches and at day-trip destinations stands at 33 for the year so far, although regular official monthly updates have not been issued since April, 2012.
The President of the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, Paiboon Upatising, expressed deep regret at the toll. The organisation funds Phuket's 108 lifeguards at 13 beaches.
''Phuket has tried so hard to warn tourists not to go into the sea but they go into the sea no matter what,'' he said.
''There are so many drownings, even though we have tried so hard.''
Phuketwan believes more effort should be made by all Phuket resorts in warning their guests verbally on check-in about dangers and by teaching all their staff to observe beach conditions and pass on their knowledge to visitors.
Much more work needs to be done on the proactive, preventive side, although lifeguards certainly also need a staff increase, jetskis with sleds and defibrilators to save more lives.
Khun Paiboon also dealt with the issue of marine rescues at yesterday's meeting at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation offices.
He suggested that to avoid confusion among different organisations, the waters around Phuket should be ''banded.''
The Royal Thai Navy would have responsibility for rescues in the open sea, Marine Police would be responsible for a medium-level band, and Phuket's coastal authorities would take care of the area close to the beaches.
Lieutenant Colonel Chatchai Sakdee, Inspector with the Phuket Marine Police, said that lifejackets in a greater variety of sizes needed to be provided to ensure greater safety on speedboats and ferries.
He also noted that the Marine Police needed more staff - ''we have more boats than we have officers,'' he said.
Marine safety has become an increasing concern with the number of drownings on Phuket. With the help of the British Embassy, a new group, Safety Phuket, is working with key official organisations.
An Andaman Marine Safety Summit is to be held over two days in tandem with the Phuket International Boat Show at the Royal Phuket Marina next month.
Wonder what the percentage of these drownings are A) alcohol related, especially Russian people and B) Chinese/Japanese people, they swim like a house brick. When does the responsibility and onus on safety go back onto the victim. Try not swimming drunk and if you are not a strong swimmer, stick to patrolled areas or pools.
Posted by StHammer on December 17, 2013 08:52
Editor Comment:
Every drowning involves individual circumstances and it would be a sad mistake to characterise deaths by nationality especially. Most of the time, Phuketwan has discovered a lack of sufficient warnings applies. Until there are sufficient warnings, all the time, every time, blame cannot be laid with individuals. Resorts must take responsibility as they encourage the guests to come on beach holidays, regardless of their swimming abilities.