PHUKET'S beach lifeguards have saved almost 100 expats and 71 Thais from drowning since the new structure was introduced in April, newly compiled figures reveal.

Release of the lifeguard statistics means that for the first time, it's possible to determine which beaches are Phuket's safest - and most dangerous. However, because some beaches are much larger and more popular than others, direct comparisons could be unfair.

Patong beach and Nai Harn beach, in Phuket's south, have been the scene of the greatest number of rescues. Patong, the most popular tourist beach on Phuket's west coast, has recorded the largest number of incidents involving jellyfish stings.

According to the Phuket Lifeguard Club statistics, there were two deaths in the water at Phuket beaches between April 26 and June 25: Phuketwan has reported the drowning of 21-year-old British tourist Rebecca Callaghan at Karon and the death of German visitor Marek Klein, 51, in heavy surf at Surin.

The release of beach-by-beach figures on rescues, deaths and others incidents represents a refreshing new transparency which will allow authorities to target the beaches with the greatest need.

Another set of statistics, provided by the Phuket Health Department, reported five drownings for Phuket in the full calendar month of April and three more in May. These figures also include deaths relating to fishing, diving and along Phuket's on-shore waterways and in pools.

What the statistics will enable lifeguard leaders to do is to concentrate more resources at the beaches with the greatest need. Combined with more intense warnings at those places on specific beaches where people constantly find themselves in difficulties, this new transparency represents a huge step forward for water safety on the island.

The same kind of strategic thinking has allowed authorities to deal with ''black spots'' on Phuket's roads, leading to a reduction in the once-horrific toll. Similar attention is needed on the water.

Last year's drowning total for Phuket of 57 is exceptionally high when compared with the 2009 road toll deaths at 153.

The newly released lifeguard figures show that there were 29 people involved in what are described at ''near drownings'' at Nai Harn beach, 44 at Patong and 21 at Karon. Seven rescues took place at Surin beach and six at Nai Thon.

Sixty-three expats were involved in ''near drowning'' along with 54 Thais.

There were 16 incidents involving jellyfish at Patong and another six at Bang Tao.

Four people were also treated as a result of what are called ''speedboat'' incidents at Patong. Three ''jet-ski'' incidents are also recorded at Patong. A total of five people from all beaches required hospital treatment.

Eighty-three lifeguards at 13 popular Phuket beaches monitor swimmers who enter the water in the zones defined by red and yellow lifeguard flags. The 9.9 million baht contract runs from April to November.

A more permanent system that gives Phuket all-year protection and does not require annual tenders is still to be achieved.