Hua Hin water-sports safety rules tightened after fatal accident
Hua Hin City Municipality has ordered tighter water-sports safety measures after a person died following an accident involving a water ride in the district earlier this month.
The measures were agreed during a meeting of the beach committee on 15 May, chaired by Mr Nopporn Wuttikul, Mayor of Hua Hin City Municipality, at the Poolsuk Room of the municipal office.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Marine Department, Hua Hin district officials, municipal executives, municipal council members, officials from relevant municipal divisions, and water-sports and jet-ski operators from Hua Hin Beach, Khao Takiab and Hua Don.
Municipal officials said the meeting was called after an incident in early May in which a person fell from a water-sports ride in Hua Hin district. The person was later treated by doctors and diagnosed with severe brain trauma before dying from their injuries. No further details of the accident have been made public.
Hua Hin City Municipality said the meeting was intended to review the incident and discuss practical measures to improve safety for tourists and other users of water-sports services along the city’s beaches.
New safety measures for water-sports operators
The meeting agreed that water-sports rides should be operated at a speed of no more than 30 kilometres per hour.
Operators were also asked to provide safety helmets for people taking part in water activities. They were instructed to check rides and equipment before every use and to ensure that all equipment is safe and ready before customers are allowed to take part.
Officials also called on operators to assess customers more strictly before allowing them to use water-sports rides. The measure is aimed at reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring that customers are suitable to take part in the activities.
Inspection planned for 28 May
The beach committee instructed operators to implement the measures as soon as possible.
An inspection has been scheduled for 28 May, when officials will visit operators to check whether the safety measures have been put in place. Members of the media have also been invited to join the inspection.
The municipality said the measures form part of its response to the fatal accident and are intended to strengthen safety standards for water-sports and jet-ski services in Hua Hin.
