PHUKET: Twelve new ambulances are now operating on Phuket - and lifeguards should be back on Phuket's most popular beaches before next weekend.
The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation is renting the dozen ambulances and has trained drivers and paramedics because of the need for more rapid-response medical care on Phuket.
Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha today welcomed the move, saying that Phuket continues to have a high rate of accidents on the roads.
Because of the lack of alternative public transport, motorcycles remain the preferred form of travel from A to B on Phuket. About 12 people are killed on average on Phuket's roads each month but as many as 1500 are injured, sometimes critically, and require hospital treatment.
Governor Tri also said today that concern about Phuket being in a tsunami and earthquake zone meant that the ambulances would be essential, if only as a precaution.
Two ambulances will go to Karon and two to Thepkasattri, with others for Patong, Phuket City, Srisoonthorn, Vichit, Paklok, Sarkoo, Mai Khao and Kamala.
A spokesperson for the Phuket Lifeguard Services firm that has been selected to supply 106 lifeguards on Phuket's 13 most popular west coast beaches said today the contract should be signed tomorrow.
Allowing for checks on equipment, lifeguards should be back on Phuket's beaches by Thursday or Friday at the latest.
''The administrative organisation has noted that most of the equipment is worn out and undertaken to replace it by October in the next budget,'' she said.
The spokesperson also said the arrival of two ambulances in the Kata-Karon district presented an opportunity to dramatically reduce the time it takes for an ambulance to reach victims on Phuket's west coast beaches.
The ambulance that responds is at present stationed at Chalong, on Phuket's east coast. The time it takes a person to be brought from the water and then to receive critical life-support is usual the key to survival.
Basing an ambulance closer to Kata and Karon beaches would save more lives, the spokesperson said.
A body that was brought ashore on Kata beach this morning is believed to be that of a Frenchman who disappeared at Freedom beach yesterday. He was the second Frenchman to drown on Phuket beaches in three days.
The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation is renting the dozen ambulances and has trained drivers and paramedics because of the need for more rapid-response medical care on Phuket.
Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha today welcomed the move, saying that Phuket continues to have a high rate of accidents on the roads.
Because of the lack of alternative public transport, motorcycles remain the preferred form of travel from A to B on Phuket. About 12 people are killed on average on Phuket's roads each month but as many as 1500 are injured, sometimes critically, and require hospital treatment.
Governor Tri also said today that concern about Phuket being in a tsunami and earthquake zone meant that the ambulances would be essential, if only as a precaution.
Two ambulances will go to Karon and two to Thepkasattri, with others for Patong, Phuket City, Srisoonthorn, Vichit, Paklok, Sarkoo, Mai Khao and Kamala.
A spokesperson for the Phuket Lifeguard Services firm that has been selected to supply 106 lifeguards on Phuket's 13 most popular west coast beaches said today the contract should be signed tomorrow.
Allowing for checks on equipment, lifeguards should be back on Phuket's beaches by Thursday or Friday at the latest.
''The administrative organisation has noted that most of the equipment is worn out and undertaken to replace it by October in the next budget,'' she said.
The spokesperson also said the arrival of two ambulances in the Kata-Karon district presented an opportunity to dramatically reduce the time it takes for an ambulance to reach victims on Phuket's west coast beaches.
The ambulance that responds is at present stationed at Chalong, on Phuket's east coast. The time it takes a person to be brought from the water and then to receive critical life-support is usual the key to survival.
Basing an ambulance closer to Kata and Karon beaches would save more lives, the spokesperson said.
A body that was brought ashore on Kata beach this morning is believed to be that of a Frenchman who disappeared at Freedom beach yesterday. He was the second Frenchman to drown on Phuket beaches in three days.
Quick change, Chalong is on the East coast. Good news indeed, both ambulances and life guards needed. Thank you to those who volunteer to help others. Three cheers to them all.
Posted by Dun on May 21, 2012 18:29
Editor Comment:
Yes of course, our mistake. Chalong remains on the east coast.