Officers to play hero for a day

PHUKET: Emergency rescue service teams will stage several rescue exercises this Saturday (December 14) to boost people’s confidence in the authorities’ ability to cope with emergencies. Starting at 10 am in Patong Bay, officers will simulate rescuing people from a boat on fire, then perform a cliff rescue at Laem Phromthep. They will then perform a rescue of a scuba diver suffering from the bends off Laem Meu-an Non, and finally save a swimmer in distress off Koh Kaew Pisadarn, off Rawai. The exercises will conclude by 2 pm. Officers from the Phuket Provincial Health Office (PPHO), the Marine Police, hospitals, the Amateur Radio Club and Police Aviation Division Phuket will take part. Governor CEO Pongpayome Vasaputi said, “The demonstrations are to reassure tourists, both Thai and foreign, that they are safe while staying in Phuket.” PPHO Chief Dr Wanchai Sattayawutthipong said, “People in the areas [where the exercises will take place] should not panic if they happen to see the demonstrations.”