Second Boy Drowns

[FarangRed]

Second Boy Drowns After Being Pulled from Notorious Phuket Beach Pond

Supatanwa Choopert, 6, pulled unconscious from the Nai Harn pond, died at Vachira Phuket Hospital on Sunday evening. Questions are likely to be asked about who was responsible for his safety and whether the pond should be closed to all swimmers.







Original Report

PHUKET: Doctors are fighting to save the life of a six-year-old boy after he was pulled unconscious from the water near a spot at a Phuket beach where a seven-year-old boy drowned on New Year's Eve.

Late today the boy was rushed to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket City where staff were trying to revive him.

He was pulled from the water this afternoon at a pond where water flows from Nai Harn Lake to the sea at the southern end of the beach - an estuary that is a popular spot for picknickers because it seems safer than the rolling seas.

However, the pond is not patrolled by the beach lifeguards, a spokesperson for the Phuket Lifeguard Club said today.

''We have been shocked by the two incidents and will call on the local municipality to close the pond to swimmers,'' the spokesperson said.

''The pond area is the responsibility of the local council. If they cannot guarantee its safety, then the area must be closed.''

On December 31, seven-year-old Methee Khunsuinhu drowned in the channel between the lake and the pond.

Tourists spotted the boy and jumped into the water to try to revive him, to no avail.

The boy was briefly kept on life-support at Vachira Phuket Hospital at the request of his family, although doctors admitted he never stood a chance of surviving.

The boy who was pulled from the water today was at the spot with his family on a weekend outing, according to early reports.

It's near the spot where a third boy, Max, 8, drowned on a family outing in similar circumstances on New Year's Day, 2010.

Phuket Public Health officials are still compiling the figures for drownings and the road toll on Phuket for 2011. No reason has been given for the delay.

Phuket's drowning tally to the end of November stands at 35 with one month's figures yet to be compiled, compared with 37 drownings on Phuket in 2010 and 57 recorded in 2009.

The total covers all drownings on and around Phuket, not just those at beaches. A Chinese tourist is reported to have drowned off Coral Island on Thursday.

Based on figures to the end of November, the road toll is likely to be down significantly in terms of deaths, but not injuries, most of which are associated with motorcycles.


Second Boy Drowns After Being Pulled from Notorious Phuket Beach Pond - Phuket Wan

[phunphin]

Parents are solely responsible for their childs safety...which is why we have 2 dead children.

[FailSafe]

I haven't been in Phuket recently, but I know that the currents have been unusually strong (for this time of year) in the south- I think we're going to see a lot more of this type of thing this year- what a nightmare for a parent (even a negligent one).

[harrybarracuda]

Parents are solely responsible for their childs safety...which is why we have 2 dead children.

Absolutely correct.

There is a big difference between an accident and negligence, Thais don't seem to make a distinction.

[BobR]

Parents are solely responsible for their childs safety...which is why we have 2 dead children.

Absolutely correct.

There is a big difference between an accident and negligence, Thais don't seem to make a distinction.

And there is a big difference between negligence and reckless indifference and the Thais don't make that distinction very well either.

[Pumpui]

Parents are solely responsible for their childs safety...which is why we have 2 dead children.

Absolutely correct.

There is a big difference between an accident and negligence, Thais don't seem to make a distinction.

And there is a big difference between negligence and reckless indifference and the Thais don't make that distinction very well either.

I think you'll find Thais don't need to make a distinction since they lead their whole fucking lives with reckless indifference.

Sorry but there is absolutely no excuse on this earth why kids should be left unattended near water.

[harrybarracuda]

And there is a big difference between negligence and reckless indifference and the Thais don't make that distinction very well either.

Not sure that is a big difference, is it?

[BobR]

And there is a big difference between negligence and reckless indifference and the Thais don't make that distinction very well either.

Not sure that is a big difference, is it?

We're all negligent at times meaning we do not use proper and due care but recklessness is showing a wanton disregard for the lives of others.

[FarangRed]

How much a pair of fuking arm bands?

[harrybarracuda]

How much a pair of fuking arm bands?

About the same cost as some basic parenting. Fuck all.

[fiddler]

I hope they don't shut it down to all swimmers.
My kid likes to swim at the beach and there are normally about 10-30 kids swimming in this (what they call) pond on a weekend afternoon.

I always keep an eye on my kid and his friends although they can all swim.
I think most parents do too so, bashing the Thais here is a bit over the top. Especially if you haven't been there to see it for yourself.

Always looking for the blame game. OK then, put a lifeguard there and blame him.
It's not the currents that get these kids, it's cause they can't swim and get in too deep. 80% of that pond is 3' of water at normal high tide.
It's built to flush itself out every tide change so, a lot of thought and work went into making it that way.

Maybe a lifeguard AND a vendor selling those arm bands would be the answer.
Or, we could just say fuck all the stupid Thai's and it serves them right or some other BS.

[WiserWizard]

Parents are solely responsible for their childs safety...which is why we have 2 dead children.

Unfortunate phrasing.

If intentional then my commiserations.