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Phuket Drowning Toll of Chinese Mounts With Death of Man on Honeymoon
By Prasit Tarnsirisin Friday, October 16, 2015
PHUKET: The drowning of a Chinese tourist while on honeymoon on Phuket is likely to raise questions in China about the safety of snorkelling trips on the Thai holiday island.
The body of the man, Zhang Jie, 29, was carried back from Racha island late yesterday - the latest in a long list of Chinese tourists who have drowned while snorkelling off Phuket, especially at Racha.
He and his wife were members of a Nikorn Marine party of 21 who went on a day's outing yesterday.
While the rest of the party were on the beach, Zhang Jie went for a dip at Patok Bay on his own, just wearing his face mask.
He did not respond to attempts to revive him on shore.
It appears that nobody was keeping an eye out for him on his swim.
The Phuket Lifeguard Service has offered to provide lifeguards at the bay for 30,000 baht a month, but the Phuket administration has not been able to find the money to save the Chinese tourists' lives.
Day-trip guides and speedboat crews appear to not keep lookout over their tourists at all times.
Unlike Europeans and Australians, Chinese tourists are as a rule not strong swimmers.
Most of the drownings could have been avoided with the presence on Racha of trained lifeguards, or adequate training for guides and speedboat crews in properly caring for tourists.
Zhang Jie's body, retrieved from a speedboat at Chalong Pier with the help of local police, was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket City.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
How are lifeguards paid for in Australia and Israel both countries appear to have an excellent safety record.
Posted by
I am pretty far from ok
on
October 16, 2015 18:48
Editor Comment:
Most Australian lifeguards are volunteers. There is, I think, some support too from local councils. I can't speak for Israel. But it's not possible to expect a volunteer system to suddenly evolve on Phuket. There is no beach culture yet, although in 20 years, when Thais are swimming, surfing and paddleboarding in larger numbers, it could be different. Clearly, the authorities have a responsibility to protect tourists
Maybe open the lifeguard jobs up to foreigners, the Aussies in most cases are better swimmers and stronger than the Thais. Clearly there needs to be an improvement, but many Thais would argue there are worse problems like people dying on the roads due to lack of speed enforcement, alcohol etc. I do think Phuket is one of the tourist regions in Thailand that should better take care of the safety of tourists they do put billions of Baht into the local economy. Sell it the way many Thais understand - get more tourists by providing safety with lifeguards (more tourists more money they should understand)
Posted by
I am pretty far from ok
on
October 16, 2015 20:30
Editor Comment:
When Chinese tourists take to the roads on Phuket, they understand there are dangers. When they entrust themselves to the water, they are led to believe that the people who benefit from their cash will protect them. Silly Chinese tourists.
At 10,000 baht a month, there may not be a lot of Aussie takers as lifeguards.
yes you are right...at 10,000 baht a month, you won't see any Aussies lining up for a lifeguard job...and offering 10,000 a month surely reflects how important the Thais feel having lifeguards are...Not Very!
Posted by
sky
on
October 16, 2015 21:06
Editor Comment:
Actually it reflects what a developing country can afford. What the Thais feel in general we'll leave you to guess. But most of them are, I suspect, in favor of saving lives. The distribution of the cash that funds the lifeguards is not in their hands.
Ed, maybe I was misunderstanding your point but if they volunteer in Australia maybe they would volunteer in Phuket too. Question is can the be lifeguards or is it a reserved job for Thai like bargirls (the latter is illegal) I don't think the safety standards are much higher in China outside of the cities from what I read. Sorry to say but Phuket likes to take money from foreigners and give little back. Meant to be the best beaches in SE Asia which don't even have fresh water showers, Phuket is not short of water for 9 months of the year. Go to a leading beach in Queensland and there are showers. Why, QLD shows some respect to the tourists and want them to come back. Thais don't think so much ahead in many cases. Even Thais tell me that.
Posted by
I am pretty far from ok
on
October 16, 2015 21:16
Editor Comment:
They won't volunteer in Phuket because Australian and Thailand are very different countries. Australians, as citizens of a prosperous, developed nation, appreciate free time spent at the beach and understand the need for protection for children and poor swimmers. Their approach to sport supports a beach volunteer system. When Thailand is a developed country and Thais are truly prosperous and have more free time, the same realisation will dawn here, too. No point in comparing countries with different cultures, and different standards of prosperity.
"The Phuket Lifeguard Service has offered to provide lifeguards at the bay for 30,000 baht a month, but the Phuket administration has not been able to find the money to save the Chinese tourists' lives"
Amazing that all the billions of baht the tourists bring in to Phuket and they cannot find 30,000 bht. Obviously it makes you wonder if commercial activity is paying any tax, and if so why is it not redirected to lifeguard and tourist safety.
The authorities dont give a damn, anything were theres no profit is of no interest. You only have to look at the lack of sensible evacuation routes in the event of a tsunami to realise this.
It just another example, the authorities cant run a bath never mind a tourist destination.Disgraceful
Posted by
LES
on
October 16, 2015 23:06
One option would be to make it compulsary for all guides and tour leaders of water based activities do there lifeguard training.
When I worked with Sea Canoe John Gray did regular training of staff and I did the queensland course when I had the chance. If I remember rightly there are now three Thai instructors
Posted by
Michael
on
October 17, 2015 00:07
Ed, like you I have lived in Australia and I beg to differ. The reason I think people volunteer in Australia is that they are proud of their community and rightly so, after living in Phuket for 8 years most people are not proud of their community in fact many are very frustrated. I am talking about expats here, many have run away from something and then get more frustrated here doing nothing. I am glad I got out of Phuket currently in the UK but hope to be back in OZ next year. Yes Phuket is for Thais as many expats will tell you, racist is what we all it. Ed, you should print this, imagine in the UK or Australia if the bulk of jobs were kept for British or Australians respectively. Then Thais wonder why Australia only being a few hundred years old is a far more advanced country than Thailand! Eeerrrr.
Posted by
I am pretty far from ok
on
October 17, 2015 00:23
Editor Comment:
Jobs are protected just about everywhere, one way or another. For now, the professional lifeguards do a great job. The more there are, the safer the water. Snorkelling trips off Racha incur too many deaths. It's an easy fix for a caring administration. No point in wandering off-topic into bigotry.
Iapffo,
lifeguards in Aus are the result of introducing kids to beach sports through the "nippers" program. It starts when they are 5 years old each Sunday morning where for 2 hours on most coastal beaches a few 100 kids compete in related activities. By the time they reach early teens about 60% will have stopped and gone onto other sports.
Those who continue, end up attaining basic skills and training where many could undertake a rescure, attend to the injured or resuscitate a drowing victum.
If they continue, they compete in events against other local groups and annually, state and Aus wide.
Funding is from local council, state govt and sponsorship but most of the beach patrol work is by volunteers and administration staff employed by the association are paid employees.
Progressing further, they can earn a semi professional living and sponsorship competing in "ironman" competitions or triathalon events where they apparently become just big chick magnets.
Posted by
MoW
on
October 17, 2015 02:24
Editor Comment:
Beach ''culture'' is new to Thailand and it will take a few more years yet. Swimming lessons for all kids at all schools would be a great start.
It would be hard to argue a case for foreigner volunteers when they get absolutely no reward. I don't mean financial reward.
It is my understanding (unless something has recently changed) that the volunteer police do not even get a preferential visa for their time & trouble.
But surely a multi billion baht tourist industry could afford to pay a bit more for quality lifeguards - salary & training.
Posted by
Logic
on
October 17, 2015 03:00
Editor Comment:
The easiest of responses is ''let the foreigners fix it.'' The locals are the ones who need to develop an interest and ''grow'' the idea of water safety so it becomes part of Phuket's culture. Foreigners come and go. They're only useful to complement a local beach safety culture.(That applies to street safety, too.) This particular problem is an easy fix with extra training for guides and boat crewsand 30,000 baht a month.
I work in China a lot, I'm in Beijing right now even, and have been coming here for months every year for the last 10+ years. And what people seem to not understand is that chinese people, especially these days when increased wealth makes people a bit over-confident/self assured, do NOT want to be told what to do and what not to do. Call it a backlash from living in a dictatorship or new-money confidence. You can tell them swimming is dangerous all day long and they will STILL go into the water, because they want to decide things by themselves, rarely have I met more risk-taking, bone-headed and stubborn people when it comes to breaking "lesser rules" ie rules that don't come with actual severe punishment such as fines or incarceation or in the case of China, hard labour camps. Might be they feel the need to break any rule that is breakable without punishment, but that is the way it is. They don't want to be told what to do,because they been living with that for generations.
Posted by
christian
on
October 17, 2015 06:59
Editor Comment:
One can understand why a man would want to go for a swim on his own. But that shouldn't be a reason to drown.
Editor Comment:
Beach ''culture'' is new to Thailand and it will take a few more years yet. Swimming lessons for all kids at all schools would be a great start.
Considering that the vast majority of Thailand is landlocked , makes your comment above one of the more stupid ones in your long list of stupid comments. Thailand in 20 years having a "beach culture"?? You really need to stop and think what you are saying before making a bigger fool of yourself.Your family must be so embarrassed.
Posted by
James
on
October 17, 2015 09:26
Editor Comment:
The only embarrassment will be felt by anyone who knows you in real life, James. Just why anyone would ignore the tragic drowning of a man on his honeymoon and attempt to kick the editor in the head instead is a riddle only until we reach the sign-off, ''James.''
Perhaps you're too busy trying to turn a tragic topic into a weapon to be aware of every other little thing, but scores of children die across Thailand each year in canals, ponds and lakes.
Is Thailand ''landlocked''? Check any map, please.
If you are going to have a go about what i said, without making a bigger fool of yourself, i suggest you read properly;No doubt you wont post this as you seem to have a major aversion to do so when you are caught out, here again.."Considering that the VAST MAJORITY of Thailand is landlocked" You really are a classic....
Posted by
James
on
October 17, 2015 10:04
Editor Comment:
Thanks for the geography lesson, James. I suggest you try to put aside your ignorance for half a second and try to understand that a landlocked country is one completely surrounded by other countries. No part of Thailand has been or ever will be landlocked. There are thousands of kilometres of coast, accessible to every Thai.
Sorry Ed but you are very wrong.james is correct [apart from name calling you IMO] but he said vast majority of Thai is landlocked.It is for sure.Maybe 90% of population lives within landlocked borders here.Maybe the minor southern parts may have a beach culture in time, but i'm doubtful of that.
Posted by
Loder
on
October 17, 2015 10:18
Editor Comment:
Think for a minute about what you're saying. . . oh, sorry, I forgot. You're Loder. That's not going to happen.
Take my word for it, please, no part of Thailand is ''landlocked.''
How long is that list of drowned Chinese?
Posted by
Sam C
on
October 17, 2015 11:35
Editor Comment:
You could quickly compile a long list yourself by searching this site for ''drowning,'' Sam.
Are you by any chance related to Loder and James?
Ed, you should ask Sue for the definition of landlocked and read the comments too. He said "vast majority".
Definition:
(Of a country or REGION) almost or entirely surrounded by land.
You are such a stubborn person with the advantage of having the last word on your website. Instead of being happy that people do comment, even other opinions than yours. That is called freedom of conscience. You should support that people read your articles and have their own opinion. That shows they do care.
Posted by
Sascha
on
October 17, 2015 11:49
Editor Comment:
Nothing stubborn about me, Sascha, where I can be persuaded that I'm in error.
No part of Thailand is landlocked. Let me repeat that, because you're obviously, like Loder and James, a little short of a geography lesson.
Thailand is not landlocked. No part of Thailand is landlocked. All Thais, wherever they live, are able to access the coast.
What I ask readers to do, Sascha, is one simple thing: Add value. You haven't yet.
Opinions from anonymous people have little value, and that becomes a bigger minus when they're based on nonsense of this kind.
Ed, perhaps you, and other, might like to read this, it could clear up a few "issues." By the way, this is a "legal" definition, so other interpretations are possible, depends on how one wants to "argue".
Posted by
Laurie Howells
on
October 17, 2015 12:25
Editor Comment:
Nothing there, Laurie. Nothing there . . .
Ed,
23 provinces of 76 here in Thailand have direct access to beaches. 0,4% of the area in Thailand is water. I hope I could add some geographical value. Maybe you could explain to me why most of my Thai friends are not going into the water when he have a picnic on the beach? How does a country develop a beach culture if their pupils have to sing an hour before the go to class instead of swimming lessons.
Posted by
SASCHA
on
October 17, 2015 12:29
Editor Comment:
People in all 77 provinces - note that, please Sascha, 77 not 76 - have access to the coast along what are called roads. Thailand's borders encompass large stretches of coast, therefore Thailand is not landlocked. Even those Thais who live away from the coast are not ''landlocked.'' If you want to know what landlocked looks like, try Switzerland. Note: no coast. No beach swimmers. No Navy.
I suggest asking your Thai friends why they don't swim the next time you picnic with them on the shore, Sascha.
But you are right. Every Thai is able to access the coast. If he can afford it and if he is willing to take his Saamlor packed with the family and the beer cooler from Yasothon to the beach. Maybe a good business opportunity to sell surf board holders in the 53 provinces without beach access to ride the wave of the new Thai beach culture.
Posted by
SASCHA KRIEN
on
October 17, 2015 12:41
Editor Comment:
You're a newcomer, Sascha, so you may have missed the long and painful comments that were once made by Doomsayers. Doomsayers believe nothing will ever change and the only thing they believe in is . . . nothing. I do hope you are not a doomsayer, Sascha, because if you are a doomsayer, then even with a surname, nothing you say will ever add value. Clearly, learning to swim would benefit Thai children living beside water, whether it's the beach, a pond, a lagoon, a lake, a river or a stream. Children manage to drown taking a bath in three inches of water. Learning to swim is not the same as building a ''beach culture.'' But you are welcome to try your surf board idea.
Switzerland has a merchant navy. And also excellent beaches on two of the three largest lakes in Europe.
Posted by
SASCHA
on
October 17, 2015 12:48
Editor Comment:
Are you saying Switzerland is not landlocked, Sascha? Gone back to your old ways and too shy now to be proved wrong with your surname showing?
This kind of argument is doomsayer stuff . . . pointless and of no value.
Where is Sue she normally explains in the longest way possible. Come in Sue, over?
Posted by
Where is Sue
on
October 17, 2015 12:53
You really have lost the plot big time morisen..You are stark staring mad man! Certifiably insane i would say.Go get help..mental issues such as yours are treatable, but first you must admit that you need help.Surely someone will help you get the much needed help, before you are physically taken away in a straightjacket.
Posted by
James
on
October 17, 2015 13:04
Editor Comment:
I think, James, you should be in the queue well in front of me. Doesn't it worry you that you can never get anything right?
Ed, you do have my full name in may email address. And I did not say that Switzerland is not landlocked. You said they haven't got beach swimmers or a navy (they do even have 10 patrol boats with guns and everything, but I don't know if the army manages them). Which is not true. And if in your definition: Even those Thais who live away from the coast are not ''landlocked."", a swiss from Chiasso has a 200 km drive to the coast. And I did ask my Thai friends why they do not swim. They said because they did not get taught. I also think that I was not doomsaying. I just got the opinion that the commenter was right when he said that the "vast majority" of Thailand is landlocked. But you always go berserk about anyone who hasn't got your opinion. And the ones who do are doomsayers who add no value per se for you. To me that is stubborn and ignorant. If you are welcome people to comment you should accept that people might have a different opinion than yours and maybe not comment on everything you don't like. The other readers might have a brain too and can decide for themselves if they agree or not.
Posted by
Sascha
on
October 17, 2015 13:19
Editor Comment:
I didn't say that you said that Switzerland is not landlocked. My exact words were: ''Are you saying Switzerland is not landlocked, Sascha?'' That's called a question, Sascha.
A Swiss has to leave his or her country to reach the coast, which is why Switzerland is landlocked. No Thai has to leave his or her country to reach the coast, which is why Thailand is not landlocked.
I do not ''go berserk about anyone who hasn't got your opinion.'' Are you wrongly applying your own likely reactions to me? I don't get angry with people who hold other views and draw other conclusions, provided they can explain their comments in a logical way. I don't get angry without a very good reason, and that's not going to ever be anonymous, ill-thought comments.
Opinions are of no value, especially the opinions of those who are in the habit of giving no thought to anything much, unless they are accompanied by logic. What we want from readers is information, and first-hand information is preferrable. You either put your full name on every comment, or you're just another anonymous commenter to all other readers.
If you think I'm stubborn and ignorant, without providing a shred of evidence, I'd have to say that you may be wasting your time here because your comments certainly don't demand my respect. There is no added logic, Sascha.
The rule for comments is as simple as i can make it: add value. But if you can't do that, expect to be challenged, or to not be published.
This article originally covered a sad drowning at Racha Isl. Now it's evolved into an argument about land borders. Some people shd learn to not only keep their mouths shut while swimming but also when not. Like you say Ed, some commenters add no value.
Posted by
Sue Yu
on
October 17, 2015 13:43
Editor Comment:
This is yet another tragedy in a series of needless tragedies. The lack of serious interest on the part of self-obsessed readers and the administration in finding solutions is appalling. I do hope the Chinese embassy shows some mettle and speaks out publicly. A travel alert should be considered.
My apologies for not simply leaving the idiots unpublished. In future, I will. Goodbye, Loder, James and Sascha.
How about this for a radical idea. If you can't swim, don't go swimming, and if you insist on doing it and drown - tough luck.
Posted by
Arun Muruga
on
October 18, 2015 01:30
Editor Comment:
There have been cases where the youngest child has slipped into a canal and a brother or sister, sometimes both have jumped in to rescue their sibling, even though they can't swim. Your radical idea seems to fail to take account of all cases
Im getting tired of people who wants to argue. You guys are loosing focus in this thread.
1. Its a tragic that the chinese guy drowned and it would be for the better good if the local government could cough up 30k a month to keep lifeguards on racha.
2. Ed. Is correct in his terminology. Thailand is not landlocked period.
3. If someone wants to argue that mandatory swimming at school is not an option they are just fooling themselves. Like said here and I know. People in 100s if not 1000s (im guessing) die in canals and ponds and even wells every year.
Bring swimming to every school in the kingdom. That would be a great start.
Posted by
Chris
on
October 18, 2015 03:04
Editor Comment:
Even articles on tragedies that desperately require permanent solutions are seen by some idiots as opportunities for petty point-scoring.
(moderated)
Posted by
James
on
October 18, 2015 09:26
Editor Comment:
Your nutcase ramblings add nothing to humanity, James. You've had your two minutes in the sunshine. You've earned eternal darkness.
Good idea to have swimming lessons in the coastal provinces and having life guards on all the swimming beaches.
In places like Chang Mia and probably every other province teaching the children the road traffic laws would save a lot more lives
Posted by
peter allen
on
October 18, 2015 12:53
Sadly too long a list and too long unaddressed why is this drowning toll from on snorkel tours and Chinese the 2 common denominator's continue with disregard to doing a thing about this body count safety standard codes of practice enforceable Laws something not nothing.
Posted by
slickmelb
on
October 18, 2015 13:06
Surely theres a hell of a lot more priorities in Thai schools than learning to swim.A real education involving proper teaching/learning process for one, and moreso some ,even basic road safety/awareness education would be far more beneficial than learning to swim.The amount of road fatalities and injuries are far,far in excess of drowning numbers.
Posted by
bruce orbell
on
October 18, 2015 19:04
@ bruce orbell
It's not due to lack of knowledge. Surely people know what happens if you crash head on into concrete or pull out of a Soi in front of a truck.
It's because far too many people simply don't give a damn. Mai pen rai, mmh ?
Posted by
Herbert
on
October 19, 2015 09:05
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How are lifeguards paid for in Australia and Israel both countries appear to have an excellent safety record.
Posted by I am pretty far from ok on October 16, 2015 18:48
Editor Comment:
Most Australian lifeguards are volunteers. There is, I think, some support too from local councils. I can't speak for Israel. But it's not possible to expect a volunteer system to suddenly evolve on Phuket. There is no beach culture yet, although in 20 years, when Thais are swimming, surfing and paddleboarding in larger numbers, it could be different. Clearly, the authorities have a responsibility to protect tourists