The season of the lethal, surly surf has returned and with October knocking on the door the weather is expected to take a turn for the wetter, as large waves become even more dangerous. That time of year is nearly upon us again when the winds that bring the heavy rain clouds also whip the waves along Phuket’s west coast into a frenzy.
With this introduction, regular readers of The Phuket News will already know what this editorial space has been dedicated to this week: saving lives.
As a medium of news reports of drowning deaths over the years, editors at The Phuket News have a prized perch from which to observe the social movements on the island with respect to such recurring issues.
Of note with respect to this one critical issue, what has become obvious is that while never has a “green season” gone by without an expat resident, a tourist or even a Thai losing their lives in the surf, the repeated needless loss of life at our beaches, like the needless loss of life on our roads, seems to have no effect on the attitude of many people on the island.
Ironically, many people like to post comments on such stories reporting such deaths, noting that considering the lack of education and lack of common sense evident in the circumstances surrounding the deaths, only the inevitable happened.
In addition to the lack of respect for the dead, this mindset only shows how such commenters have fallen victim to the same mental predisposition that they criticise.
In this, it seems what the “more educated” people on the island have forgotten is that complacency is a killer.
Yes, there are those belligerent tourists who ignore lifeguards’ warning, and the red “no swimming” flags. But let’s not confuse ignorance with arrogance. Many people simply are not aware just how dangerous the surf at this time of year can be, as this week’s needless death of three people at the beaches.
To this, The Phuket News today urges everyone – not just lifeguards, but hotel workers and fellow beach-goers – to take up surf safety as a personal responsibility. Tell anyone who seems unaware of the lethal surf that they might be endangering their own lives and those of their own loved ones.
If we badger enough people bad enough, we just might just save a few more lives.