PHUKET: The Phuket Lifeguard Service formally applied today for the contract to provide lifeguards at Phuket's 13 most popular tourist beaches.
Lifeguards walked off Phuket's beaches when the previous annual contract ended on March 27. Today's formal application means that lifeguards could return sometime next month.
Meanwhile, tourists and locals are warned that they swim at their own risk. Volunteers may patrol some beaches but the arrangement is informal.
Onlookers and safety experts are puzzled as to why the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, which meets the 22 million baht for the lifeguards' budget, appears to not be able to ensure that swimming beaches are patrolled all year long.
Phuket Lifeguard Service spokeswoman Vitanya ''Tanya'' Chuayuan delivered the paperwork today to the organisation's offices in Phuket City.
The staffer who collected the paperwork preferred not to be identified.
He told Phuketwan that attempts had been made to attract interest from five companies.
It appeared as though Phuket Lifeguard Service would again be the only company bidding for the contract.
Khun Tanya said it had been agreed that the number of lifeguards would be increased from 88 to 95, at the same budget.
''The deal should be confirmed within a week and lifeguards should return to Phuket's beaches some time before the end of May,'' she said.
More than once in recent years it has been suggested that the contracts should be renewed every two years, so that lifeguards have a little more continuity in their employment.
The lifeguards are continuing to seek an upgrade in equipment and storage lockers where the equipment can be safely kept.
Lifeguards walked off Phuket's beaches when the previous annual contract ended on March 27. Today's formal application means that lifeguards could return sometime next month.
Meanwhile, tourists and locals are warned that they swim at their own risk. Volunteers may patrol some beaches but the arrangement is informal.
Onlookers and safety experts are puzzled as to why the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, which meets the 22 million baht for the lifeguards' budget, appears to not be able to ensure that swimming beaches are patrolled all year long.
Phuket Lifeguard Service spokeswoman Vitanya ''Tanya'' Chuayuan delivered the paperwork today to the organisation's offices in Phuket City.
The staffer who collected the paperwork preferred not to be identified.
He told Phuketwan that attempts had been made to attract interest from five companies.
It appeared as though Phuket Lifeguard Service would again be the only company bidding for the contract.
Khun Tanya said it had been agreed that the number of lifeguards would be increased from 88 to 95, at the same budget.
''The deal should be confirmed within a week and lifeguards should return to Phuket's beaches some time before the end of May,'' she said.
More than once in recent years it has been suggested that the contracts should be renewed every two years, so that lifeguards have a little more continuity in their employment.
The lifeguards are continuing to seek an upgrade in equipment and storage lockers where the equipment can be safely kept.
Well full moon is nearly here long weekend and the rip tides have returned to nai harn let's hope no more accidents
Posted by Michael on May 1, 2015 19:20