Although the contract for Phuket Life Guard Service Co Ltd (PLGS) was signed off in principle by Governor Nisit Jansomwong three weeks ago, the company has to meet contractual obligations before it can put the lifeguards back on the sand.
PLGS consultant Prathaiyut Chuayuan explained, “The documents for the contract with the OrBorJor [Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation] are being prepared. I'll finish the paperwork this week.
“I also have to find the contract completion bond of B1 million before signing the contract.
“In the meantime I have to pay salaries to the lifeguards from my own pocket – which I can do. Before we sign the contract we will have some lifeguards on duty.”
The delay in getting a contract signed was because of regulations that state the OrBorJor must put any contract out to tender and get at least three bids.
But PLGS is the only company in Phuket in the lifesaving business, so special dispensation from the governor had to be sought to allow the OrBorJor to hire PLGS company without going through the tendering process.
This is the third year in a row that Phuket has been without lifegaurd coverage because of this issue.