Chinese delegation visit Patong lifeguards and had some suggestions too

A meeting was held yesterday (May 10) at the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Phuket Office (DDPM-Phuket) with the Consul-General for Thailand Zhou Guangxi, Counsellor Li Chunlin, Chinese Consulate-General in Phuket Ma Cui Hong and Phuket Vice Governor Prakob Wongmaneerung in attendance.

Vice Governor Prakob says, “We are paying a lot of attention to tourist’s safety these days. The Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (OrBorJor) has provided 98 lifeguards on 12 beaches. Patong Municipality has provided an additional 26 lifeguards.”

Mr Li Chunlin says “We admire the lifeguards at Patong Beach that are doing a great job, professionally taking care of tourists. Red flags during days of high waves and warning signs along the beach are placed in many languages. Other beaches should be like Patong beach. Phuket needs to continually review this issue in order to prevent Chinese and other tourists from drowning and other marine accidents.”

“We suggest tour operators should select good buses. Phuket should hire professional lifeguards. Warning signs should be placed at hotel pools too. Marine tourism operators travelling to Koh Phi Phi should be checked often as well as many marine accidents have happened during the trip,” he added.

After the meeting officials went to inspect the lifeguards at Patong Beach.

COMMENT: Every year Chinese tourist have a statistically high rate of drownings on Phuket beaches and are passengers in tour buses that have accidents, drive off the side of roads and, last year, one even spontaneously burst into flames on Thepkasattri Road. The Chinese delegation is well within its rights to demand better care and attention to the people providing services for Chinese tourists.

PHOTOS: Phuket Tourist Police