Australians’ drunken balcony fall raises Phuket safety concerns

PHUKET: Patong Police have urged local municipality workers to inspect the balcony-railing heights of Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa after three drunk Australians tumbled off their second-floor balcony (story here).

“It is beyond our jurisdiction to ensure that the railings are of a safe height. We actually voiced our concern before this accident, and again after it. However, we cannot push them to do their job,” said Lt Col Sutthichai Tianpho of the Patong Police.

Col Sutthichai urged the public to be careful and look after their own safety.

“Please be careful and pay attention to your surroundings. If there is a low balcony railing, keep your distance,” he said.

A representative of Phuket Graceland Resort and Spa declined to comment to the Phuket Gazette at this time about the balcony railings.

The Australians – Paul Hanson, Anthony Jones and Jean Cover, all 24 years old – have since been released from hospital.

— Chutharat Plerin