The death of the hotel lifeguard at Chewang got me thinking. RIP poor fella.

Out of the thai folks I have met over the years I would estimate less than 5% have any swimming skills at all.

I can understand it from the point of view that its a relatively poor country and such a pastime might be an indulgence when you are struggling on the ant-heap, but even people whose occupation is on and around the water? e.g. fishermen, deckhands, lifeguards?

In my country the attitude is to teach skills and respect at a young age. In LOS it seems to be to instill fear, or encourage the natural fear that children get after a certain age.

Anyway it strikes me that with the rising affluence of the country there may be a business opportunity for someone.

I have no idea what the skill level of the guy on Samui was, this isn't about him personally.

Just a few random thoughts for the forum.