Due to the adverse surf conditions, the lifeguard service originally placed the sea at Mai Khao, Nai Thon, Surin, Laem Sing and Karon beaches off limits on Tuesday. Chief Chuayuan said lifeguards took their jobs seriously and red flags had been put up because the sea was just too treacherous to swim in.
He carried on by saying that swimming was still okay on some Andaman coast beaches and yellow flags indicated this. Sections or whole beaches at Nai Yang, Bang Tao, Kamala, Patong, Kata and Nai Harn are yellow-flagged and still safe enough for swimming.
The temporary swimming ban comes hot on the heels of an adverse weather warning from Thailand’s Meteorological Department. The forecast says heavy rain and strong seas are expected to last through the weekend.
Lifeguards say red flags to stay at top Phuket beaches
News in Asia
The lifeguard association in charge of Phuket’s west coast beaches say red flags prohibiting swimming will stay up until Saturday at least. Chief lifeguard Prathaiyuth Chuayuan told reporters on the Thai island that high waves and undercurrents at five beaches were too dangerous for swimmers.