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PHUKET: Thirteen beaches on Phuket's popular tourist west coast will be protected only by WARNING signs from Friday - with lifeguards likely to be absent for at least a month.
Officials at the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, which covers the 22 million baht budget for the Phuket Lifeguard Service, said today a solution was not likely within that time.
While most world-class tropical beach destinations wouldn't think of allowing a single day to go by without having lifeguards on the beaches, the departure of lifeguards from Phuket's beaches occurs almost every year - and for as long as seven weeks on one recent occasion.
While the PPAO is considered to be better at its management job than most councils, the annual absence of lifeguards demonstrates to the world how poor Phuket is at sorting out its problems, especially those connected with tourism safety.
For years, Phuket's lifeguards have been making the point that protecting tourists from drowning on Phuket is a community task, and that the resorts that entice the tourists to come and that profit from their presence should warn swimmers about the dangerous rip currents that develop on some beaches during the monsoon season.
With a few exceptions, Phuket's resorts mostly ignore giving any warnings to tourists.
Some volunteer lifeguards may be on duty from Friday at Patong, Karon, Kata, Kamala, Surin, Bang Tao and other beaches. But swimmers are advised not to bet their lives on it.
The strict rules imposed by the PPAO in negotiating the renewal of the contract each year are designed to keep the arrangement transparent and corruption free, which is wonderful unless it's you or a relative or a friend who happens not to see the WARNING signs from tomorrow, goes for a swim and drowns.
That this issue remains an annual matter of life or death despite the importance of Phuket retaining its reputation as a safe destination for tourists - and residents who swim - remains a showcase for the holiday island's collective ineptitude.
Surin Beach, Phuket, Thursday March 26 1830 hours:
Lifeguards have managed to keep Surin Beach drowning-free for over five years. Neighboring beaches such as Bang Tao and Laem Singh have not been so lucky, with numerous drownings occurring there over that same time period.
Today, Surin Beach Lifeguards have closed the swimming area for the last time as money for lifesaving services has run out due. The loss of ocean lifeguards across Phuket comes as the monsoon season and the dangerous rip currents that come with it are approaching.
The crossed red and yellow flags indicate the closing of the safe swimming area - usually just for the day - but tomorrow the lifeguards will not be returning. When the lifeguards will return is unknown at this time.
Officials at the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation, which covers the 22 million baht budget for the Phuket Lifeguard Service, said today a solution was not likely within that time.
While most world-class tropical beach destinations wouldn't think of allowing a single day to go by without having lifeguards on the beaches, the departure of lifeguards from Phuket's beaches occurs almost every year - and for as long as seven weeks on one recent occasion.
While the PPAO is considered to be better at its management job than most councils, the annual absence of lifeguards demonstrates to the world how poor Phuket is at sorting out its problems, especially those connected with tourism safety.
For years, Phuket's lifeguards have been making the point that protecting tourists from drowning on Phuket is a community task, and that the resorts that entice the tourists to come and that profit from their presence should warn swimmers about the dangerous rip currents that develop on some beaches during the monsoon season.
With a few exceptions, Phuket's resorts mostly ignore giving any warnings to tourists.
Some volunteer lifeguards may be on duty from Friday at Patong, Karon, Kata, Kamala, Surin, Bang Tao and other beaches. But swimmers are advised not to bet their lives on it.
The strict rules imposed by the PPAO in negotiating the renewal of the contract each year are designed to keep the arrangement transparent and corruption free, which is wonderful unless it's you or a relative or a friend who happens not to see the WARNING signs from tomorrow, goes for a swim and drowns.
That this issue remains an annual matter of life or death despite the importance of Phuket retaining its reputation as a safe destination for tourists - and residents who swim - remains a showcase for the holiday island's collective ineptitude.
Surin Beach, Phuket, Thursday March 26 1830 hours:
Lifeguards have managed to keep Surin Beach drowning-free for over five years. Neighboring beaches such as Bang Tao and Laem Singh have not been so lucky, with numerous drownings occurring there over that same time period.
Today, Surin Beach Lifeguards have closed the swimming area for the last time as money for lifesaving services has run out due. The loss of ocean lifeguards across Phuket comes as the monsoon season and the dangerous rip currents that come with it are approaching.
The crossed red and yellow flags indicate the closing of the safe swimming area - usually just for the day - but tomorrow the lifeguards will not be returning. When the lifeguards will return is unknown at this time.
what a great job done by the lifeguards yesterday, saving a man. These men are important to all. perhaps this sign should share an image of swimmer being cut in half by a boat prop. be one the safe everyone.
Posted by fk on March 27, 2015 01:50