PHUKET'S popular beaches will have lifeguards from April until January and a new warning system under a decision made by the Phuket Provincial Adminstrative Organisation today.
The contract for 9.9 million baht is to be signed on Monday with Prathayut ''Nut'' Cheryon, representing the Phuket Lifeguard Club. Khun Nut made the lower bid of two tenderers for the role.
The plan is to train lifeguards to a high standard, based on the Australian bronze medallion system, Phuketwan has learned. Protected swimming zones will be created at each of the 13 beaches, manned by a total of 83 lifeguards.
Unlike other proposals, the lifeguards will be full-time and not diverted by other activities, such as jet-ski hiring or working as vendors.
Each pod of lifeguards will have lifeguard fins, a rescue board, a radio, binoculars and other equipment, including cpr masks and oxygen.
Longer beaches, including Kamala, Bang Tao, Patong and Karon, will each have a jet-ski.
The Chief Executive of the PPAO, Paiboon Upatising, told Phuketwan today that he would ask Phuket resorts to warn visitors about the dangers on Phuket's beaches during the monsoon/summer season especially.
''There will be lifeguards on the beaches, which is good,'' Khun Paiboon said. ''But sometimes, people insist on swimming on the beaches, even when it is unsafe. We have to try to save people any way we can.''
Lifesafers from Australia and the US who have volunteered to help with training are likely to be made welcome.
Phuketwan understands that the training system for the 10,000 bah a month jobs will be intense, with preference being given to those with previous experience.
Two Phuket lifeguards with training in Australia are to be among those employed, if all goes according to plan.
There have been no lifeguards on Phuket's beaches since mid-November, when the previous contract expired. It is believed a commonsense approach, involving a contracted company and volunteers as well, is expected to evolve.
There were 53 drownings on Phuket in 2009, including a high number on some of Phuket's better known beaches during the monsoon/summer season. Latest figures show there were three in February.
Put Tourism First, Say Phuket ProtestersThe contract for 9.9 million baht is to be signed on Monday with Prathayut ''Nut'' Cheryon, representing the Phuket Lifeguard Club. Khun Nut made the lower bid of two tenderers for the role.
The plan is to train lifeguards to a high standard, based on the Australian bronze medallion system, Phuketwan has learned. Protected swimming zones will be created at each of the 13 beaches, manned by a total of 83 lifeguards.
Unlike other proposals, the lifeguards will be full-time and not diverted by other activities, such as jet-ski hiring or working as vendors.
Each pod of lifeguards will have lifeguard fins, a rescue board, a radio, binoculars and other equipment, including cpr masks and oxygen.
Longer beaches, including Kamala, Bang Tao, Patong and Karon, will each have a jet-ski.
The Chief Executive of the PPAO, Paiboon Upatising, told Phuketwan today that he would ask Phuket resorts to warn visitors about the dangers on Phuket's beaches during the monsoon/summer season especially.
''There will be lifeguards on the beaches, which is good,'' Khun Paiboon said. ''But sometimes, people insist on swimming on the beaches, even when it is unsafe. We have to try to save people any way we can.''
Lifesafers from Australia and the US who have volunteered to help with training are likely to be made welcome.
Phuketwan understands that the training system for the 10,000 bah a month jobs will be intense, with preference being given to those with previous experience.
Two Phuket lifeguards with training in Australia are to be among those employed, if all goes according to plan.
There have been no lifeguards on Phuket's beaches since mid-November, when the previous contract expired. It is believed a commonsense approach, involving a contracted company and volunteers as well, is expected to evolve.
There were 53 drownings on Phuket in 2009, including a high number on some of Phuket's better known beaches during the monsoon/summer season. Latest figures show there were three in February.
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Seems like good news for now, I was just on Koh Chang and they had wonderful signs including pictures of a rip tide and explaining it, theses signs were not just at the beach they were all over and as far as I can tell they were in English Thai and German, I thinks educating the beachgoers as well as the lifeguards is important but this is the first good step
Posted by Michael on April 2, 2010 20:23