This year lifesavers from the Phuket Lifeguard Co, under contract to the OrBorJor, stopped manning the beaches when the company’s contract ran out on March 27. It was not until May 20 that they went back on the beaches.
Deputy president Soratham Jinda told The Phuket News today, “I admit that previous lifeguard contracts for a couple of years were signed late. We recognise that we should not have been late again this year (2015). We plan to start the process earlier next year.”
He said that this year the signing was complicated by the the National Council for Peace and Order being in charge of the country, which required the OrBorJor to send the project to the Governor for approval.
“It will not happen again. For next year, we will work faster and send all the documents to the Provincial Council four months earlier than we did for this year’s contract. That way the budget can be submitted in September this year and approved by November.
“We will also have our staff complete the preparation of the contract faster than last year. We can then sign the new contract the day after the old one expires.
“The OrBorJor President, Paiboon Upatising, cares for Phuket people and tourists.
“We have a plan to cooperate with hotels located on beaches. We will ask them to support our lifeguards with their own. That will things safer.
“The Kata Thani Resort [on Kata Noi Beach] has already joined our project. I hope many others will work with us for the safety of tourists.”