The city is replacing the
old, round buoys with stronger, wider buoys.
Warunya Thongrod and Veechan Souksi
Even as Pattaya continues to replace buoys marking swimming
zones on area beaches, reports of injuries tied to the new floats are
washing ashore.
The wide, red-and-white barriers replace round orange buoys that marked
several locations along Pattaya and Jomtien beaches and have received
generally positive reviews from both beach-goers and boat operators. But
questions about the decision to use heavy-duty plastic used are
increasing. Several people have been injured while walking on the wide
and flat plastic never intended to be a dock.
Reporters peppered city hall spokespeople, city council members and
Tourism Promotion Bureau executives with questions at a March 13 press
conference, wanting to know whether the pontoons were tested before
deployment, how they were paid for and whether the city council had even
approved the plan.
City officials, seemingly caught off guard, dodged most the questions,
promising to deliver answers at the next, as-yet-unscheduled, press
conference. However, City Councilman Rattanachai Sutidechanai confirmed
the budget had come from the city’s “central fund” and that the council
was aware of the buoy-replacement plan, even if it hadn’t signed off on
the specific design.
Rattanachai said the council has ordered a re-examination of the design
and materials used but, meanwhile, installation will continue on Jomtien
and Wong Amat beaches.
According to the Sea Rescue Center at the Bali Hai Pier, one of six
swimming areas on Jomtien have had their old round, rope-connected buoys
replaced. Five are set for replacement on Wong Amat. In addition, city
hall plans to cordon off two additional swimming areas on the Naklua
beach.
The response from swimmers, so far, mostly has been positive.
“I bring my kids here everyday, now that these swimming barriers have
been installed,” said 37-year-old Saruwan Somroop, a mother of two.
“After all the accidents that happened over the past year, I would never
let my kids play at the beach without my supervision. I have two sons
ages 9 and 13. Now that these barriers are installed, I can sit and
watch them from a distance without having to worry anymore.”
“Have there been accidents? Yes. But doesn’t that happen everywhere?”
said Turkish tourist Emel Irdem. “Not to blame anybody, but people
should be more careful and not ignore the designated swimming areas. The
new swimming barriers are looking good and it gives the swimmers a
warmer feeling to enjoy themselves without having to worry about the
boats and jet skis coming in and running them over.”
