PHUKET: A man has drowned at Phuket's Karon beach with lifeguards yet to sign a contract to return to protect swimmers.
Supachet Nagsong, 26, got into difficulties about 4.30pm and could not be rescued. Khun Supachet was swimming near the large dragon statue in the middle of the beach, a point where deadly currents known as rips have been previously reported.
He had been on a Sunday visit to the beach with four male friends, according to paramedics who wrapped his body in a shroud and took it to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket City.
The friends ate a late lunch and walked along the beach until 4pm, when they went for a swim, despite the lack of lifeguards. It is believed Khun Supachet, from Phrae province in the north of Thailand, may have developed a cramp.
The Phuket Lifeguard Service, which provides 108 personnel for Phuket's 13 most popular west coast beaches, is continuing to repair old equipment in readiness to sign a contract once the Phuket Provincial Administration, which funds the lifeguards, has one prepared.
Debate about the new 22 million baht contract continued beyond the time period of the previous contract, so lifeguards were obliged to walk off the beaches from April 27. It's believed a new deal has been agreed, but the contract has yet to be signed.
The dangerous monsoon season has arrived on Phuket. In 2012, lifeguards were absent from Phuket's beaches for more than six weeks in a similar contract dispute.
Supachet Nagsong, 26, got into difficulties about 4.30pm and could not be rescued. Khun Supachet was swimming near the large dragon statue in the middle of the beach, a point where deadly currents known as rips have been previously reported.
He had been on a Sunday visit to the beach with four male friends, according to paramedics who wrapped his body in a shroud and took it to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket City.
The friends ate a late lunch and walked along the beach until 4pm, when they went for a swim, despite the lack of lifeguards. It is believed Khun Supachet, from Phrae province in the north of Thailand, may have developed a cramp.
The Phuket Lifeguard Service, which provides 108 personnel for Phuket's 13 most popular west coast beaches, is continuing to repair old equipment in readiness to sign a contract once the Phuket Provincial Administration, which funds the lifeguards, has one prepared.
Debate about the new 22 million baht contract continued beyond the time period of the previous contract, so lifeguards were obliged to walk off the beaches from April 27. It's believed a new deal has been agreed, but the contract has yet to be signed.
The dangerous monsoon season has arrived on Phuket. In 2012, lifeguards were absent from Phuket's beaches for more than six weeks in a similar contract dispute.
quality tourists deserve a quality beach life guard service someones not getting the message.
Posted by slickmelb on May 19, 2014 08:14