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LIFE
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Weekend escape to the cool calm of Cape Panwa Lifeguards will be back patrolling at least 12 main tourist beaches in Phuket next year. Photo: Tanyaluk Sakoot
LIFEGUARDS BACK ON BEACHES NEXT YEAR UNDER B37-MILLION LOCAL BUDGET PUSH The Phuket News editor@classactmedia.co.th
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early B37 million will be spent on providing lifeguards at 12 Phuket beaches next year, Phuket Governor Phakaphong Tavipatana announced this week. The budgets were requested individually by seven local administration organisations (OrBorTor) and municipalities, and will be provided, Gov Phakaphong assured on Tuesday (Nov 6). Gov Phakaphong provided a breakdown explaining what funds are to be allocated to providing lifeguards
at which beaches. However, it was not clear for how many months – and which months – the lifeguards will be on duty, though it is presumed that lifeguards will be present and patrolling the beaches during the notorious southwest monsoon, which whips up dangerous surf and creates deadly flash rips. Gov Phakaphong explained the breakdown as follows: 1. Sakoo OrBorTor – B2.5 million to hire 12 lifeguards, with five lifeguards to patrol Nai Thon Beach and seven to patrol Nai Yang Beach every day. “The government contract to be
offered to provide these lifeguards is already in process,” Gov Phakaphong said. 2. Cherng Talay OrBorTor – B3.58mn to hire 15 lifeguards to patrol Surin Beach and Bang Tao Beach. “Cherng Talay OrBorTor is also looking for hotels to provide staff to support the lifeguards,” Gov Phakaphong noted. 3. Kamala OrBorTor – B340,000 has been already spent to have lifeguards present in October to November 2018, Gov Phakaphong explained. “Officials this month will offer a contract for B2.3mn to hire 12 lifeguards for 2019, with 10 on Kamala
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Beach, and two more to patrol Laem Singh Beach in the future,” he said. Of note, there are currently no lifeguards at Laem Singh Beach as access across the land to reach the beach is closed by a private owner. 4. Mai Khao OrBorTor – B2mn for eight lifeguards to patrol Mai Khao Beach. “Presently, there area only two lifeguards on Mai Khao Beach and two near the airport runway and chief lifeguard,” Gov Phakaphong said. 5. R a w a i M u n i c i p a l i t y – B5,456,600 to provide lifeguards at Nai Harn Beach and Yanui Beach. “This will allow for 15 lifeguards...
SPORT
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