PHUKET: Two lifeguard managers have returned to Phuket after completing an international course - and Phuket's tourists and residents should be safer for their new-found expertise.
The Phuket pair were among 14 delegates from eight countries who attended a Future Leaders in Lifesaving course run by Britain's Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Jayne MacDougall, Director of Risk Management and Loss Prevention at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, and Prathaiyuth ''Nat'' Chuayuan, who heads the Phuket Lifeguard Club, both say the benefits from the training will become obvious on Phuket's beaches and in Phuket's resorts.
As well as hands-on training and theory at a purpose-built facility in (appropriately enough) Poole, the Phuket delegates joined others from Uganda, Mauritius, Cameroon, Philippines, Bangladesh, Senegal and India in training on Britain's beaches.
''We now have a lot of new ideas to move forward,'' Khun Nat said. ''And we have made some contacts that we hope will be partners with us in the years to come.
''I know that Phuket and Thailand will benefit from this opportunity and I hope that programs like this continue for the world's lifeguards in the future.''
The 10-day course led Ms MacDougall to say: ''We have returned with many resources, renewed energy and determination - let's take lifesaving to the next step in Phuket and Thailand.''
For years, Le Meridien has initiated an annual training course for lifeguards from all Phuket resorts.
The next step may well come next month, when two of Phuket's lifeguards compete at international titles in Adelaide, Australia.
The Phuket pair were among 14 delegates from eight countries who attended a Future Leaders in Lifesaving course run by Britain's Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
Jayne MacDougall, Director of Risk Management and Loss Prevention at Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, and Prathaiyuth ''Nat'' Chuayuan, who heads the Phuket Lifeguard Club, both say the benefits from the training will become obvious on Phuket's beaches and in Phuket's resorts.
As well as hands-on training and theory at a purpose-built facility in (appropriately enough) Poole, the Phuket delegates joined others from Uganda, Mauritius, Cameroon, Philippines, Bangladesh, Senegal and India in training on Britain's beaches.
''We now have a lot of new ideas to move forward,'' Khun Nat said. ''And we have made some contacts that we hope will be partners with us in the years to come.
''I know that Phuket and Thailand will benefit from this opportunity and I hope that programs like this continue for the world's lifeguards in the future.''
The 10-day course led Ms MacDougall to say: ''We have returned with many resources, renewed energy and determination - let's take lifesaving to the next step in Phuket and Thailand.''
For years, Le Meridien has initiated an annual training course for lifeguards from all Phuket resorts.
The next step may well come next month, when two of Phuket's lifeguards compete at international titles in Adelaide, Australia.
good for them, two people who try very hard to make Phuket water safer.
Posted by michael on October 8, 2012 20:23