PHUKET'S lifeguards report an April free of drownings on Phuket's popular west coast beaches, a perfect start to the new 12-month contract period.
During the previous contracted period of 10 months from April 2010, 13 drownings were recorded on Phuket's beaches - including nine on Karon beach.
More lifeguards and more patrols on all 13 west coast beaches, together with more jet-skis and other equipment, should reduce the toll.
During April, Phuket lifeguards performed 164 rescues. Seventy-five of those were Thais, and 89 were expats. In 12 cases - for nine expats and three Thais - hospital treatment was considered necessary.
Drowning figures collated by the Public Health department, which also include fatalities in lagoons and swimming pools as well as fishing or diving tragedies, will be released later this month.
Not since July last year has there been a month without a drowning on Phuket. The recent death of a young man in a lagoon in Phuket City means April will also not be perfect.
Public Health recorded three drownings on Phuket in March but because the lifeguard service was not contracted during that period, it's not known whether any of those deaths were on the beaches.
Phuket Police Probe Japan Dive Tourist's DeathDuring the previous contracted period of 10 months from April 2010, 13 drownings were recorded on Phuket's beaches - including nine on Karon beach.
More lifeguards and more patrols on all 13 west coast beaches, together with more jet-skis and other equipment, should reduce the toll.
During April, Phuket lifeguards performed 164 rescues. Seventy-five of those were Thais, and 89 were expats. In 12 cases - for nine expats and three Thais - hospital treatment was considered necessary.
Drowning figures collated by the Public Health department, which also include fatalities in lagoons and swimming pools as well as fishing or diving tragedies, will be released later this month.
Not since July last year has there been a month without a drowning on Phuket. The recent death of a young man in a lagoon in Phuket City means April will also not be perfect.
Public Health recorded three drownings on Phuket in March but because the lifeguard service was not contracted during that period, it's not known whether any of those deaths were on the beaches.
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There were probably drownings, it's just that the "lifeguards" were too busy with their jet ski rentals and para-sailing business to notice. Seriously, go watch the lifeguards in the middle of Kata Beach some time.
Posted by ScubaNinja on May 4, 2011 22:32
Editor Comment:
There was no contracted lifeguard service in March, so there were no official lifeguards on Phuket's beaches then. Seriously, guesswork and innuendo simply wastes everybody's time, ScubaNinja.