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The 12 new Phuket ambulances and the telephone number to call: 1669

Phuket Gains 12 More Ambulances

Monday, May 21, 2012
PHUKET: Twelve new ambulances are now operating on Phuket - and lifeguards should be back on Phuket's most popular beaches before next weekend.

The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation is renting the dozen ambulances and has trained drivers and paramedics because of the need for more rapid-response medical care on Phuket.

Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha today welcomed the move, saying that Phuket continues to have a high rate of accidents on the roads.

Because of the lack of alternative public transport, motorcycles remain the preferred form of travel from A to B on Phuket. About 12 people are killed on average on Phuket's roads each month but as many as 1500 are injured, sometimes critically, and require hospital treatment.

Governor Tri also said today that concern about Phuket being in a tsunami and earthquake zone meant that the ambulances would be essential, if only as a precaution.

Two ambulances will go to Karon and two to Thepkasattri, with others for Patong, Phuket City, Srisoonthorn, Vichit, Paklok, Sarkoo, Mai Khao and Kamala.

A spokesperson for the Phuket Lifeguard Services firm that has been selected to supply 106 lifeguards on Phuket's 13 most popular west coast beaches said today the contract should be signed tomorrow.

Allowing for checks on equipment, lifeguards should be back on Phuket's beaches by Thursday or Friday at the latest.

''The administrative organisation has noted that most of the equipment is worn out and undertaken to replace it by October in the next budget,'' she said.

The spokesperson also said the arrival of two ambulances in the Kata-Karon district presented an opportunity to dramatically reduce the time it takes for an ambulance to reach victims on Phuket's west coast beaches.

The ambulance that responds is at present stationed at Chalong, on Phuket's east coast. The time it takes a person to be brought from the water and then to receive critical life-support is usual the key to survival.

Basing an ambulance closer to Kata and Karon beaches would save more lives, the spokesperson said.

A body that was brought ashore on Kata beach this morning is believed to be that of a Frenchman who disappeared at Freedom beach yesterday. He was the second Frenchman to drown on Phuket beaches in three days.

Comments

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Quick change, Chalong is on the East coast. Good news indeed, both ambulances and life guards needed. Thank you to those who volunteer to help others. Three cheers to them all.

Posted by Dun on May 21, 2012 18:29

Editor Comment:

Yes of course, our mistake. Chalong remains on the east coast.

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No picture of the 12; at least there was a picture of the new police cars before they went where'er they've gone, seemingly ne'er to be seen again? Seriously, the PAO does seem to be trying and that's good.

Posted by ssresident on May 21, 2012 18:37

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Good news and good sign of improvement. Not so often I have an optimistic feeling for the fate of Phuket.
Interesting comments about the Kata ambulance because in the past there was always on at the fire station in Kata and that one still took 20 min to travel less then 2km on 2 occasions that I personally was responsible the ambulance being called (by a Thai speaker).

Posted by Vfaye on May 21, 2012 19:12

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What number do we call, if we should ever need one of these ambulances, please?

Posted by kel on May 21, 2012 20:33

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it is so complicated in phuket. so much money comes from the tourists and the goverment can not put a proper first aid system in place and can not put all year lifeguards on the beaches? everywhere jetskis but no lifeguards with jetskis? how ridicoulous...the rich jetski mafia should donate 13 jetskis. but its just a dream because you cant earn money with donating...

Posted by mike on May 21, 2012 23:23

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@kel
1669 is the general ambulance dispatch but they will not likely speak English. You may get one of the municipal or volunteer foundation ambulances which carries some kit like spinal boards, AED's, and who's staff will probably have some basic emergency medical training, or you may get a scoop and run meat wagon. Depends on where you are and how busy the ambulances are. If you are near one of the private hospitals it is better to call 1719 for the Bangkok Phuket Hospital ambulance or 076 294900 for the Phuket International (Siriroj) ambulance. They are more likely to speak English and the rigs are fully kitted to international standards with an EKG, manual defibrillators, O2, spinal stabilization equipment, etc and are typically staffed with ER nurses that can do very invasive procedures in the field such as intubation, administer IV's and such. For diving emergencies the 24 hour emergency line for Phuket's re-compression chamber is 081 081 9000. They can assist with emergency evacuation.

Posted by Joe on May 22, 2012 15:01


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