Patong may be first beach to have lifeguards

KATHU: Pol. Col. Kokiat Wongvorachart, Superintendent of Kathu Police Station, told the Gazette this morning that his unit is sponsoring two new tourist safety projects for the coming high season in Patong. The proposals are currently awaiting approval from the Ministry of Interior in Bangkok. Khun Kokiat says he is optimistic that approval, along with the required budget allocations, will be forthcoming in time for the November advent of the 1999/2000 high season. The first project entails recruitment of five lifeguards for Patong Beach, and the purchase and installation of five look-out towers along the strand. First aid and rescue equipment, as well as first-year salaries of 200-baht per day for each of the lifeguards, is also included in the project’s 615,000-baht budget. The lifeguards would be on duty 365 days a year. The second project, budgeted at 130,000 baht, requires recruitment of six “bicycle guards” who will ride around Patong’s tourist areas from 3 pm to midnight every day during the high season. Members of the bicycle contingent would carry first aid equipment and would likewise receive a salary of 200 baht per day.