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Phuket Governor with local officials and Marine Police may make a law to prohibit swimming when sea is dangerous. Posted by Whistle-Blower on August 11, 2010 16:30 Editor Comment: Inevitably, the issue would be enforcement. But if there are more needless deaths, then beach closure may be the only option. The resorts should all be working hard on a warn-and-warn-again strategy to make sure that doesn't happen. 
Why can't warnings start with before they (tourists) leave their desitnation>? Why does it have to start here, again, money. Why let the tourist start their trip, sometimes many of hours, but then you tell them the sea conditions. Posted by Lee on August 11, 2010 16:44 Editor Comment: Unlike riding a motorcycle without a helmet, the danger at the beaches is seasonal. And it can change on a daily basis. Some days, the beaches are safe. Some days they are not. There is no way people can be told before they reach Phuket whether conditions are going to be safe, or unsafe. Hence it's a responsiblity that begins when people arrive, not before. 
A step in the right direction. The tourists are properly warned but fining them for going into the water is not realistic. The roads are dangerous as well, lets fine people for driving on the roads while we are at it. The fact is that thousands of people swim during monsoon season and live to tell about it. The responsibility ultimately falls on the individual. How about renting life jackets to people to boost revenue and save lives instead of turning this into a police state like our own countries have become. Posted by Jon on August 11, 2010 17:17 
Should be with a universal don't swim symbol .. That is a lot of text to read for a non-native speaker not fluent in English. Posted by VFaye on August 11, 2010 18:53 
Could start with amending much of http://summerinphuket.com/ brought to you by the same media firm that handles the tourist police and the governor's website !! Posted by LivinLOS on August 11, 2010 19:50 Editor Comment: Yes, ''summer'' is quite appropriate on some days in the monsoon season. But not lately. And use of the word could tend to make people think that, as in most places, ''summer'' is a great time to swim on Phuket beaches. Resorts that use ''summer'' as an enticement should feel obligated to ensure their ''summer'' guests are fully informed on arrival, and that they depart without dramas. 
To all the dogooders out there, realise that at the end of the day it just comes down to one undeniable conclusion. Posted by Whispering Jack on August 12, 2010 00:05 Editor Comment: When a hotel staffer is asked ''Why didn't you warn them?'' and responds with: ''They didn't ask'' you have to think that some resorts could show more duty of care. 
Warnings should take place when it is very risky. And 'SWIMMING in the sea in this season is VERY RISKY.' Do not kill no more tourists by selling holidays without this warning. It is about life. Posted by Anonymous on August 12, 2010 04:29 
So......let me get this straight. Posted by Sir Burr on August 12, 2010 08:23 
I would suggest a number of the victims thus far displayed alongside the warning would be most effective at deterrence in ignoring warnings. Posted by Ripley on August 12, 2010 09:30 Editor Comment: With better sources of information and a growing number of inquisitive tourists, the old practice of not telling has been abandoned. Most authorities on Phuket understand the need for transparency and see the sense in solving the problems rather than hoping they will go away.
@ Jon... Posted by Whistle-Blower on August 12, 2010 09:33 
no the yellow and red flag means it patrolled by lifeguards but they have red flags in between some of these areas to show where the rips are, I think a better explanation of rips is needed, if people understand not to fight against them it could save their lives. Posted by Michael on August 12, 2010 09:46 Editor Comment: One thing that might help is a "Safe Swimming Days'' sign. This idea is effective on construction sites, where it help to promote collective awareness by saying ''Days Without a Time Loss from Injury: 164.'' Days Without a Drowning: 164. 
I tried to submit a warning to TripAdvisor and this was their response... Posted by Graham on August 12, 2010 10:33 
I am still not getting my head around the fact, that one victim was a lifeguard. Posted by Lena on August 12, 2010 15:41
Graham, Posted by Ripley on August 13, 2010 09:14 
No comment ! the responsability (or) irresponsability belongs to the persons in charge of the problem; Phuket municipality! they are doing NOT ENOUGH! they welcome the tourists on Bangla Road (making it safer with no cars in the evenings) but have absolutely no idea about how to make their beaches safer; the resorts are not guilty, a tourist will be more attentive to a clear bulletin board, located at the right location, flags, life guards are of course necessary, but also at the right locations with the necessary equipment, car, dinghies etc etc and...Trained staff !!!! yes in Phuket you got more Jetski professional to show their skills turning and polluting the beaches...and killing you eventually, than Professional rescuers able to save someones lives. Welcome to amazing Thailand ! (my deepest sympathy to all the victims) Posted by serge on August 22, 2010 20:25 Editor Comment: Hello Serge, There's a collective responsibility to save lives, and we've seen some of the excellent warnings posted at Patong beach. But many tourists go past the notices without stopping to read them - that's human nature. Resorts also need to take responsibility - after all, they are the ones who encourage tourists to come here in the monsoon season. They should act responsibly and always warn their guests of the dangers in the water. Saving lives requires a community response - from everyone. |
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Hope this will work but I'm afraid that it will not. The problem is that when tourist arrive after a long year of work they don't like to be told not to swim. They booked, they paid and now they want to do it. I think the tour operators in their home countries bear some responsibility as well, to inform their customers!
Posted by Phuket on August 11, 2010 14:42
Editor Comment:
Just as long as they are telling tourists about the rabies outbreak in Bali as well . . . can you really imagine tour operators telling potential customers the reasons NOT to go to destinations? Let's keep this discussion in the realm of the possible. Given that all destinations will attempt to attract customers by promoting their best features and disregarding the negatives, responsibility has to start as each flight descends to Phuket, with Warning One, and as guests check in, with Warning Two. Then Warning Three comes at the beach.