Head of the Kata-Karon lifeguard group Uten Singsom told The Phuket News that these vendors are one of the problems faced by lifeguards trying to patrol the beach, as when lifeguards try to tell people it is dangerous to swim and take note of the signs, they do not now about the signs as they are blocked from view.
“I have seen vendors block the warning signs. It is pointless trying to reason with them as simply don’t care,” he said.
“I will talk to local OrBorTor officials about this and have them solve this problem as soon as possible. Vendors and their stalls should stay clear from any warning signs,” he added.
Lifeguards across the island plea to residents and tourists to adhere to red-flag warnings at beaches especially in monsoon season, red flags are placed along the beaches when rip-currents are particularly strong.
Mr Uten said people need to be cautious when entering the water and heed to safety warnings.
He also said that foreigners often ignore lifeguards’ warnings and often get into confrontations with them due to language barriers
“On a number of occasions we have to call on to police to help keep people out of the danger zone,” he said.
“It is safer for people to swim near lifeguard stations, which are marked by yellow and red flags,” Mr Uten advised.