Phuket beaches finally get lifeguards

**dirtydog** · 19-06-2009, 04:55 PM

Phuket beaches finally get lifeguards

TEMPTING FATE? Tourists ignore the red warning flags and test the waters at Karon Beach this morning. Photo by James Goyder.

PHUKET: It will come as little consolation to the families and friends of those who drowned off Phuket's beaches in recent weeks, but lifeguards are finally in place on 12 of the popular local strands.

New signs have also been erected at the beaches alerting tourists to the dangers of swimming during the monsoon season.

A spokesman for the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (PPAO), Jalernkiat Kaewpetch, said a company signed a contract to manage beach safety across Phuket on Tuesday.

LP Laikhum Co Ltd set to work immediately, erecting the signs at Nai Harn, Kata Noi, Kata, Karon, Patong, Laem Singh, Kamala, Surin, Bang Tao, Nai Thon, Nai Yang and Mai Khao beaches.

At Karon Beach, a sign included a message in English signed by Karon Mayor Thavee Thongcham.

“The monsoon season has started and on certain days the sea can be very dangerous. Whenever the red flag is placed, we urge you not to swim in the sea as there are invisible undercurrents which are almost impossible to detect from the shore.

“Too many accidents occur every year on the Andaman Sea beaches and we cannot assume responsibility for every one,” it said.

The signs explain, in Thai and English, the red and yellow flag system intended to stop tourists from swimming when conditions are dangerous.

Red flags mean people should not enter the water; yellow flags mean swimming is allowed, but lifeguards are not on duty; while yellow-red flags mark areas patrolled by lifeguards.

Under the contract, LP Laikhum will have to provide certified lifeguards on duty from 8am until 7pm daily.

On Karon Beach this morning most swimmers were in areas under lifeguard supervision and marked on either side by yellow-red flags.

Confusingly, yellow flags were also on display in these areas, even though lifeguards were on duty.

There were also people swimming in red-flagged areas of the beach.

Doug Cowmeadow, a tourist from Australia said, “I saw a girl getting in trouble earlier in what couldn’t have been more than two feet of water. I was watching quite closely because I thought I might have to rescue her.”

One man happily swimming in an area marked with red flags was Anders Kjell from Sweden. “I know what the red flags mean but I am not going in too deep so I don’t think it is very dangerous,” he said.

There are still a number of pathways onto the beach that have no visible signs to warn tourists of the dangers of swimming in the sea.

“There are signs, but you could easily get onto the beach without seeing one. We come from Australia so we know what a red flag means, but would someone who is not used to beaches realize its significance?” Mr Cowmeadow asked.

“I did see a sign a bit further up the road, but I think there's need for more.” Mr Kjell said.

Karon Beach remains accessible along its entire length from Patak West Road, better known simply as "the beach road".

Phuket Gazette

**lom** · 19-06-2009, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Confusingly, yellow flags were also on display in these areas, even though lifeguards were on duty.

Ah but that is the Jetski operators flags.

**BenDoverMax** · 19-06-2009, 06:31 PM

not Thai... but willing to teach lifeguard skills. visas needed...

**Rural Surin** · 20-06-2009, 11:17 AM

Wonder if the Club Med down the road has lifeguards?

**Loy Toy** · 20-06-2009, 12:15 PM

Looking at that surf (not to mention the warning flag) that is so dangerous with an ankle deep sand bank, deep channel directly in front of it, turbulent water just above the tip of the red flag and another sand bar where the waves are breaking just beyond the deep channel.

Any idiot that couldn't see this let alone the red flags deserves to be drowned.

There's one thing about putting life guards on the beach but you have to properly train them, buy them floats and or a rescue craft and possibly stand to lose one or two during these dangerous rescue missions.

In Australia that section of the beach would be closed and under those very same conditions.

**melvbot** · 20-06-2009, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Looking at that surf (not to mention the warning flag) that is so dangerous with an ankle deep sand bank, deep channel directly in front of it, turbulent water just above the tip of the red flag and another sand bar where the waves are breaking just beyond the deep channel.

Any idiot that couldn't see this let alone the red flags deserves to be drowned.

What an idiotic comment to make.

**El Gibbon** · 20-06-2009, 12:33 PM

Not sure if it has happened yet or not this year but invariably a Korean, Chinese or Taiwanese recently married couple will get in trouble at Karon Beach.

Typically the lady gets in a bit of bother and hubby will try and "rescue" her. End game comes with lady crying on the beach while someone pulls hubby's body from the water.

Along with life guards, tour operators and package sponsors should bear some responsibility for at least warning people BEFORE they get to the beach. But then that might discourage folks from honeymooning or vacationing in Phuket.

A sad situation that lifeguards cannot prevent. Karon beach is just to big to monitor effectively without multiple motorized patrols and powered rescue apparatus.

This latest development, while worthwhile is basically window dressing and making a boat load of money for someone. Wonder how long the company has been in business and how many certified (by whom) guards they employ.

E. G.

**Loy Toy** · 20-06-2009, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by melvbot

What an idiotic comment to make.

You obviously have not had to dive into a whirl pool like that and almost get drowned yourself? I have and nearly died and because some idiot walked straight past the warning flags and to his probable death, or maybe he was trying to commit suicide!

Look at the picture..........just in front of where those 2 blokes are standing is a rip channel/ gully ready to drag someone too their death.

**Loy Toy** · 20-06-2009, 12:41 PM

^^ Spot on E.G and at some point common sense has to be exercised.

Next there will be expected pedestrian police escorting people across Sukhumvit Road.

**Happyman** · 20-06-2009, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by El Gibbon

Wonder how long the company has been in business and how many certified (by whom) guards they employ.

A couple of years ago when they put the contract out there was an article in Phuket Gazette about a company who were tendering for it , with something along the lines of ' we are recruiting guards who will be given rescue floats - the ability to swim would be an advantage !'

(looking for the link in the Gazette archive- will post when I find it ! )

**Happyman** · 20-06-2009, 01:10 PM

^
Sorry
It must have been in the hard copy - not the on line issue.

I did find this one though

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

OrBorJor launches low season lifeguard training

Provincial Police Deputy Commander Col Chalit Thintanee (left) and OrBorJor Vice-President Suthin Uthaithamrong inspect some of the 100 lifeguards that will man Phuket’s beaches during the hazardous rainy season.

PHUKET: Phuket’s hazardous low-season beaches will be guarded by 100 lifeguards who are being trained at Phuket Community College this week.

The lifeguards are being trained as part of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor) lifeguard project. The training program was developed with the help of the Royal Thai Navy Third Naval Command.

The project aims to reduce the number of drownings in rough surf at Phuket beaches during the rainy season.

OrBorJor Vice-President Suthin Uthaithamrong hailed the project a success, and added that the OrBorJor spends about 15 million baht a year on training and equipping its lifeguards.

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Send Letter to Gazette Editor Phuket, Thailand
18:12 local time (GMT +7)

You have to wonder though if,in 2007, they were spending 15m Baht a year on lifeguards, why have they given the contract to an outside company.

**melvbot** · 20-06-2009, 01:47 PM

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Originally Posted by melvbot

What an idiotic comment to make.

You obviously have not had to dive into a whirl pool like that and almost get drowned yourself? I have and nearly died and because some idiot walked straight past the warning flags and to his probable death, or maybe he was trying to commit suicide!

Look at the picture..........just in front of where those 2 blokes are standing is a rip channel/ gully ready to drag someone too their death.

Strangely not everyone lives within 20 miles of the sea and has the intricate knowledge of the conditions that you seem to have.

In another thread you're offering your condolences to the family of the young English man who died in similar circumstances in Phuket yet now you're saying anyone who doesn't have your insight into the conditions of the sea deserves to die by drowning

**El Gibbon** · 20-06-2009, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by Happyman

^

OrBorJor Vice-President Suthin Uthaithamrong hailed the project a success, and added that the OrBorJor spends about 15 million baht a year on training and equipping its lifeguards.

Print this story | Send it to a friend
Send Letter to Gazette Editor Phuket, Thailand
18:12 local time (GMT +7)

You have to wonder though if,in 2007, they were spending 15m Baht a year on lifeguards, why have they given the contract to an outside company.

Cause the 15 MM went for new Pickups for the OrBorJor and a hundred cases of JW Black.... and I'm sure you know exactly who I mean.... think Tamarind... lolol

E. G.

**MustavaMond** · 21-06-2009, 09:27 AM

The Phuket Ragette chose to put this red flags and lifeguards story front and center online yet the four drownings last week weren't online at all.

Along with the Phi Phi deaths dis-information, " Uh food poisoning , uh no wait ..it was .. it was a freak accident...Yeah freak accident ..."
time to start seeing the Ragette for what it is .

Tourism investor's prop up rag .

**dirtydog** · 21-06-2009, 09:38 AM

Originally Posted by MustavaMond

yet the four drownings last week weren't online at all.

Whats this then?
https://teakdoor.com/thailand-and-asi...hai-drown.html (Phuket Karon Beach - Frenchman and Thai drown)

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