Phuket denies second tourist drowning due to lifeguard shortage
A Phuket government official has refuted claims a shortage of lifesavers on the islands beaches is responsible for the drowning of a second tourist in as many weeks.
Russian national Oleg Parshukov was the second to die since a contract ended with a private lifeguard service at the beginning of October.
Phuket Lifeguard Service ended its contract after nearly a decade of service after City Hall cut its budget.
After years of gradual budget cuts, it said it could no longer provide a reliable service.
Since October 1, beaches have been manned with government workers and naval personnel, although there have been shortages on some beaches.
Watcharin Pathomwattanapong, provincial government chief, admitted there had been shortages but that was not to blame for the latest death.
Watcharin said the Russian ignored the red flag warning on Karon beach.
"He was very stubborn. He argued with the lifeguards."
Seven other people were rescued from drowning by the substitute lifeguards the same day, Watcharin said.
However Capt. Channarong Prakongkua of Karon police station said the number of personnel on duty was not sufficient to oversee the entire beach.
Watcharin said there is a recruitment drive underway to hire up to 250 new lifeguards in time for the start of the December peak season.
A week earlier a Chinese tourist drowned at the same beach. On that occasion no lifeguards were present.
After that incident Utane Singsom of the Phuket Lifeguard Association said the drowning could have been prevented if its experienced lifeguards were in position at the time.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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