PHUKET'S lifeguards are expected back on Phuket beaches this weekend with agreement reached on a new deal that provides more manpower, better equipment and improved surveillance.
All that's needed for the beaches to regain their protectors is a signature from the Phuket Lifeguard Club's leader, Prathayut ''Nut'' Cheryon. He said today he expects to sign off on the deal today or tomorrow.
The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation has increased the budget to 20 million baht and extended the contract to a full year. On the beaches it will mean 106 lifeguards in place of 83, and a new ''command structure'' to improve coordination and training.
Phuket's lifeguards on 13 key west coast tourism favorites will gain double the number of jetskis, from four to eight.
Experts believe jetskis with trailing platforms make for the most efficient and speediest rescues, when every second counts.
Instead of having two regions, Phuket will be divided into three zones: Nai Harn, Ya Nui, Kata Noi, Kata and Karon; Laem Singh, Kamala and Patong; Surin, Bang Tao, Nai Thon, Nai Yang and Mai Khao.
''It's all looking good,'' said Khun Nut, whose lifeguards improved standards on Phuket beaches during their first stint between April and February. If the March downpours have had a positive side, it's in keeping people off the beaches while the new contract was being debated.
At most beaches, though, the lifeguards stayed on without pay to make sure swimmers remained safe.
Khun Nut says that 10 lifeguards with the greatest experience will be placed in charge of the three new zones. If there are days when many tourists flock to one or two beaches, lifeguards will be increased at those spots.
''We aim on establishing a training centre,'' Khun Nut said. ''There is a lot of interest in Australia, where the lifesaver system works very well.
''We think we will have plenty of support to make Phuket even safer on the beaches.''
The number of drownings on Phuket's beaches dropped last year from 53 to 37, but there have been seven deaths in January and February 2011.
Phuket's Road Toll Improves, But Drownings IncreaseAll that's needed for the beaches to regain their protectors is a signature from the Phuket Lifeguard Club's leader, Prathayut ''Nut'' Cheryon. He said today he expects to sign off on the deal today or tomorrow.
The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation has increased the budget to 20 million baht and extended the contract to a full year. On the beaches it will mean 106 lifeguards in place of 83, and a new ''command structure'' to improve coordination and training.
Phuket's lifeguards on 13 key west coast tourism favorites will gain double the number of jetskis, from four to eight.
Experts believe jetskis with trailing platforms make for the most efficient and speediest rescues, when every second counts.
Instead of having two regions, Phuket will be divided into three zones: Nai Harn, Ya Nui, Kata Noi, Kata and Karon; Laem Singh, Kamala and Patong; Surin, Bang Tao, Nai Thon, Nai Yang and Mai Khao.
''It's all looking good,'' said Khun Nut, whose lifeguards improved standards on Phuket beaches during their first stint between April and February. If the March downpours have had a positive side, it's in keeping people off the beaches while the new contract was being debated.
At most beaches, though, the lifeguards stayed on without pay to make sure swimmers remained safe.
Khun Nut says that 10 lifeguards with the greatest experience will be placed in charge of the three new zones. If there are days when many tourists flock to one or two beaches, lifeguards will be increased at those spots.
''We aim on establishing a training centre,'' Khun Nut said. ''There is a lot of interest in Australia, where the lifesaver system works very well.
''We think we will have plenty of support to make Phuket even safer on the beaches.''
The number of drownings on Phuket's beaches dropped last year from 53 to 37, but there have been seven deaths in January and February 2011.
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Great news. The only jet skis on the island should be those of the Lifeguards.
Posted by Phuket Kop on March 31, 2011 16:34