The 60, made up of hotel staff and business persons, underwent five-days of taining which was provided by Australia's major water safety, drowning prevention and rescue authority Surf Life Saving.
Speaking to The Phuket News, president of the Phuket Lifeguard Club, Prayut Cheuyuan, said, “The Phuket OrBorJor (Provincial Administration Organisation) continues to provide lifeguards for all 13 beaches around Phuket. This training programme was for volunteers who wished to be trained and volunteer to be lifeguards on the beaches.”
Vice president of the Phuket OrBorJor, Sakchai Choawai, added, “We want the lifeguards on Phuketʼs beaches to have a positive image on the islandʼs tourism industry.
“To provide these volunteers with the training they require to rescue and help people is very important, and i hope that the knowledge they have gained will help them should they need to use it in a real life situation.”
Last year Phuketʼs lifeguard saved 299 lives, 233 foreigners and 66 Thais. Since January this year 104 have been saved, 78 foreigners and 26 Thais.