Following the near death experience of a British bungy jumper in Kathu, the Governor of Phuket has been meeting with representatives of the different sectors of the tourist industry to discuss safety measures and business strategies to reassure visitors that Phuket is indeed a safe place to visit.

Governor Wichai Praisa-ngob met with owner of the Patong Go-Kart Speedway track Maliwan Lalomchai at the Provincial Hall on 12 October. Khun Maliwan took the opportunity to assure him and people of Phuket that the track?s ?aim is to provide a service that is in line with the Go-Kart Federation safety standard in England.?

She added that, ?before tourists use our service, they have to sign their name on a contract to agree to the rules. We also test the equipment and train the staff regularly.?

In a bid to try and contain the negative impact on tourism caused by the bungy jumping incident, the drownings caused during monsoon season and the recent jet ski controversy, the governor is well aware of what needs to be done.

He said, ?Tourism provides the main income for Phuket, so the behaviour of the trader has ramifications for the image of Phuket. Exploitation and safety problems must be addressed to ensure the continuing interest in tourism.?

Since British bungy jumper, Rishi Baveja, managed to slip out of the safety harness during a jump with the Jungle Bungy Centre, the media and representatives from every government organisation including the Police, TAT and the Governor?s office have honed in on the company and according to Terry Pearce, a member of the management team at Jungle Bungy, a witch hunt has ensued.

Mr Pearce said, ?Our company made a thorough and detailed inspection of our entire system, equipment and operating procedures immediately after this unfortunate event? We found no part faulty or in poor condition.?

The wicked waves on Kata and Karon beach that have attracted surfers during the monsoon season have also attracted eager swimmers. Despite repeated red flag warnings, tourists are still risking drowning by going into the sea, leading to twelve deaths so far.

An initiative known as ?pineapple eyes? that includes lifeguards, jet ski traders and anybody and everybody who can help has been set up to monitor all who venture into the sea.

Winai Chidchiew, the village headman of Karon said, ?Although the lifesaving and security jobs fall under OrBorJor?s responsibility, I don?t think dingies are good enough to help people who are drowning. I think we should be using jet skis or surfboards to fight the waves.?

The hard winds and high waves that the monsoons have brought this season have resulted in twelve tourists dying so far, yet a portion of persistent swimmers are still swimming.

Khun Winai added, ?I want the companies that are responsible for providing these services to improve their equipment and their number of lifeguards. The government and private sectors also have to educate the tourists about red flags when they first arrive in Phuket, because many of them are breaking the rules and still swimming.?

Prataiyuth Chuayuan, president of Phuket Lifeguard Club, in consultation with David Field, a lifeguard trainer and assessor from Surf Life Saving Australia have recently drafted and submitted a six-page document outlining a ten-step plan to improve beach safety on Phuket?s beaches. It was sent to and for the consideration of the president of the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation, Paiboon Upatisimg. Some of the recommended proposals include beach management techniques, how to employ clear and concise signs and lists of essential equipment.

Khun Chuayuan said, ?The high numbers of drowning on public beaches in Phuket is partly because the beaches are not being managed in a safe way for the public because lifeguards do not possess the necessary skills.?

The recent spate of sensational news stories concerning jet ski scams, shootings, drownings, murders and faulty bungy jumps paint a dark picture indeed of Phuket. But is it as dangerous as various foreign TV Channels and newspapers would have us believe?

However, the fact remains that the global recession has resulted in fewer tourists traveling to Phuket and the negative controversy surrounding the recent incidents is not likely to help the situation.

The governor is looking to weed out the irresponsible, crooked and dangerous operators working in the tourist industry and then, as a member of the management team of Jungle Bungy said, Phuket can ?move forward from this in a positive direction.?