As things stand at present, there are no plans for lifeguards beyond May 27 when the current contract between the the Phuket Lifeguard Club and the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (OrBorJor) expires.
Club President Prathaiyut Chuayuan told The Phuket News yesterday (May 9) that a meeting had been held regarding renewal but that the club has heard nothing since.
Chaowalit Kiatdate of the OrBorJor told The Phuket News that the contract to provide lifeguards for all of Phuket’s western beaches would be put out to tender “soon”, and is expected to come into force at the beginning of July.
But what will happen between May 27 and July 1? OrBorJor administration official Kanyarat Saenruang admitted, “There will be no lifeguards on the beach during June.”
On Wednesday (May 8), OrBorJor President Paiboon Upatising told The Phuket News that he did not know about progress on the new contract and would have to consult with his staff.
The PLC has been contracted for the past three years, on an annual basis, to keep a watch at Phuket’s beaches, advising when it is not safe to swim, and pulling out of the water those who do not heed the advice.
Already, with the annual switch to the southwest monsoon, the weather along the Andaman Sea coast has deteriorated, bringing wind and waves that take a toll of human life every year.
That toll would be far greater were it not for the efforts of the PLC. Although 14 people drowned between the beginning of the current contract and the end of April, 882 people were saved by the lifeguards – and average of 80 a month.
Mr Prathaiyut believes that the contract should not only be organised earlier but should also be more more long-term.
“When we have to renew it every year, there is no certainty, and it affects our employees since they don’t know when the contract will be renewed or whether they will still have a job when it expires.
“This has led to many resigning to take work that has greater job security. So we have to train new guards to replace the ones who leave.”
Replacements are not easy to find, he said. Candidates have to show that they swim strongly, and “have the mindset to be a lifeguard. And then we have to train them.
“Last year we deployed a total of 106 staff at 13 beaches along the west coast of Phuket, from Ya Nui Beach in the south to Mai Khao Beach in the north. The number at each beach varies depending on the level of danger of and the local geography.
“In each area, there are three lifeguards at each station. On Patong Beach, for example, there are 15 lifeguard stations, each manned by three people.
“During the monsoon season [from May until October], the most dangerous beach is Karon Beach, because of its length, but every beach can be dangerous – currents are the main factor.”
Apart from the uncertainty of the job, Mr Prathaiyut said the main problem for life guards is tourists ignoring verbal warning from the guards and not paying attention to the warning signs and flags erected along the beaches.
Red flags, the signs explain in many languages, mean that it is too dangerous to swim. But people still go in the water.
“I would like to ask for the cooperation of all the tourists to be aware of the signs and notices in order to protect lives.
“Also, I would ask the hotels and other businesses close to the beach to warn tourists when it is not safe to go into the water.”