PHUKET: Phuket's popular tourist beaches could be without lifeguards for up to 60 days during the dangerous monsoon season after the present contract for lifeguards ends on April 2.
''We will leave the beaches and give back the equipment to the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation on that date,'' Witanya ''Pik'' Chuayuan, communications manager for the Phuket Lifeguard Club, said today.
Because the lifeguard contract is open for tender each year, there's a period when Phuket's beaches are not protected, no matter how many tourists flock to them.
This year, the gap without lifeguards on Phuket's most popular west coast beaches could be abnormally long because of the vote for a new administrative organisation president.
The poll takes place on April 7, just five days after the lifeguards leave the beaches. If there is an electoral challenge to the result, it could be 60 days before the winner is confirmed.
Could the family of drowning victims who perish at Phuket beaches sue the administration for lack of proper care, if there are no lifeguards?
The likelihood of this happening grows every year as the lifeguard service is suspended while tenders are called. The tendering process makes sure the system is honest and there is no corruption - but it also leaves tourists unprotected on Phuket's beaches.
Lack of continuity in contracts also means that there's a danger of losing the training skills that have been passed on to the current crop of Phuket Lifeguard Club lifeguards.
There is always the possibility of a less well-trained group bidding for the contract, undercutting the Phuket Lifeguard Club on price, but also having a lifeguard group who are not as well trained.
Most of the world's best lifesaver systems, including those in Australia and California, are not subjected to annual reviews on the basis of cost.
Manop Lilasutanon, who is heading the Phuket administrative organisation while the elections are being held - former president Paiboon Upatising is standing against one other candidate, Chayot Wisantawong - has been in talks with the Phuket Lifeguard Club to try to reduce the risks.
''We hate to leave the beaches unattended,'' said Khun Pik. ''And the likelihood is that some of the lifeguards will continue to remain on duty without pay. But there are no guarantees.''
Having a tendering process that took place while the current Phuket contract was still in operation would seem to be the life-saving solution.
''We will leave the beaches and give back the equipment to the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation on that date,'' Witanya ''Pik'' Chuayuan, communications manager for the Phuket Lifeguard Club, said today.
Because the lifeguard contract is open for tender each year, there's a period when Phuket's beaches are not protected, no matter how many tourists flock to them.
This year, the gap without lifeguards on Phuket's most popular west coast beaches could be abnormally long because of the vote for a new administrative organisation president.
The poll takes place on April 7, just five days after the lifeguards leave the beaches. If there is an electoral challenge to the result, it could be 60 days before the winner is confirmed.
Could the family of drowning victims who perish at Phuket beaches sue the administration for lack of proper care, if there are no lifeguards?
The likelihood of this happening grows every year as the lifeguard service is suspended while tenders are called. The tendering process makes sure the system is honest and there is no corruption - but it also leaves tourists unprotected on Phuket's beaches.
Lack of continuity in contracts also means that there's a danger of losing the training skills that have been passed on to the current crop of Phuket Lifeguard Club lifeguards.
There is always the possibility of a less well-trained group bidding for the contract, undercutting the Phuket Lifeguard Club on price, but also having a lifeguard group who are not as well trained.
Most of the world's best lifesaver systems, including those in Australia and California, are not subjected to annual reviews on the basis of cost.
Manop Lilasutanon, who is heading the Phuket administrative organisation while the elections are being held - former president Paiboon Upatising is standing against one other candidate, Chayot Wisantawong - has been in talks with the Phuket Lifeguard Club to try to reduce the risks.
''We hate to leave the beaches unattended,'' said Khun Pik. ''And the likelihood is that some of the lifeguards will continue to remain on duty without pay. But there are no guarantees.''
Having a tendering process that took place while the current Phuket contract was still in operation would seem to be the life-saving solution.
" Having a tendering process that took place while the current Phuket contract was still in operation would seem to be the life-saving solution."
Totally agree but commonsense doesn't seem to be the strong suit.
Posted by innocent bystander on March 12, 2012 11:54