Phuket is granting a budget of 40 million baht to improve safety and security at major beaches around the island to ensure tourist confidence.
Phakaphong Tavipatana, governor of Phuket province, said the budget will be spent through 2019 for 12 popular beaches on the island.
The province has ordered seven local administrative offices, responsible for the dozen beaches, to propose their implementation and action plans and budget requirements.
Under the plan, Karon Administrative Office is expected to spend 11 million baht for safety and security improvements, including purchasing six rescue boats and hiring 35 lifeguards.
Rawai Administrative Office needs 5.4 million baht to hire 15 lifeguards, while Sakhu Administrative Office, which oversees Nai Yang and Nai Thon beaches, is expected to use 2.5 million baht to hire 12 lifeguards. Seven of them will be stationed at Nai Yang beach and another five at Nai Thon beach.
Cherng Talay Administrative Office, which is responsible for Surin and Bang Tao beaches, plans to spend 3.5 million baht for 15 lifeguards. Kamala Administration Office needs a budget of 2.3 million baht for 12 lifeguards, Hat Mai Khao Administrative Office said it needs a budget of 2 million baht to hire eight lifeguards at Mai Khao beach, and Patong Administrative Office expects to use 10 million baht to hire 26 lifeguards.
Mr Phakaphong said the remaining supportive budget will be allocated towards urgent need or additional expenses, but the priority is improving safety and security for marine tourism on the island.
"Lifeguards will be working every day on all 12 famous beaches in order to ensure tourist confidence," he said. "They will rush to assist tourists if there is an incident."
The province is also asking hotels located on beaches to enhance safety and provide preventive guidance before guests head to beaches.
Last month, the Marine Department improved tour boat safety on the island with the aim of enhancing marine tourism standards. It has assigned 26 more officers to ports and piers to perform safety checks for boats, passengers and boat drivers before taking tourists offshore.
In July a tourist boat sank off Phuket, claiming the lives of 47 Chinese tourists. Phuket province also issued new regulations and began enforcement shortly after the incident.
Mr Phakaphong said Phuket is in high season and more tourists will visit the island. All tour boats need to be checked twice a month, up from monthly, to ensure that the equipment on board and crews meet safety regulations.
Regular checks involve equipment placed inside boats and the equipment that must be ready for deployment in case of an emergency. The captain and helmsman must each register the boat's name and specifications, as well as the exact number of passengers and tour routes before leaving port each time.
Each passenger must check their personal information such as name and surname, nationality, accommodation, and next point of embarkation.