Local officials to take over lifeguard contracts
Phuket Governor Norapat Plodthong says local administration organisations will take control of the budget for hiring lifeguards instead of the Provincial Administrative Organisation (OrBorJor) to improve beach safety and overcome the current problems with the annual lifeguard contract.
“Especially this year, a lot of people have drowned at our beaches during a time when we didn’t have an effective lifeguard patrol,” said the Governor.
“We are looking at better management and the local administration organisations should be the ones taking control of the lifeguards in their own areas. If they don’t have enough in their budgets they can approach the Provincial Government for help.
“From now on there will be no more problems in the annual contract extension. Patong will be the pilot project for this. The Patong Municipality and the local lifeguard company are all ready to work with this new approach.
“Patong is more efficient in terms of beach safety. We also have a team of lifeguards, named Patong Surf Life Saving, who have sufficient equipment and staffing to take care of beachgoers.
“This pilot project will be extended to other beaches, especially the ones where the local administrative organisations are ready to cooperate. I believe all beaches will be ready soon.”
Meanwhile, the head of Patong Surf Life Saving, Somprasong Saengchart, said more than 40 lifeguards were taking care of the 3 kilometres of Patong beach, including professional lifeguard teams and volunteers.
“The most common cause of drowning is swimming in the red-flagged zones and swimming while drunk,” he said.
“In most cases it is quite rare that people will drown. If there are lifeguards on the beaches we can monitor people who are swimming during times of danger and react accordingly.”
Source: https://www.phuketgazette.net/news/local-administrative-organisations-take-lifeguard-contracts
