Parasail operators will meet with Patong, Phuket Mayor Chalermluck Kebsup tomorrow to formalize a self-imposed rule to no longer allow young children on parasail rides at the popular tourist beach in Patong.
The news followed a viral news story last week that showed a Chinese man taking his baby daughter on a screaming skyward ride at Patong Beach on Aug. 16.
The footage was made public by tourist David Carlyle, who reported, “We watched as the toddler was clearly crying and in distress while these men were forcing the harness on her.
“Thirty seconds later she was being towed up and out with her father behind her along with a local, as they quickly ascended into the sky. They all had absolutely no concern about what they just did to that poor little girl,” he said.
Prajat Somnam, President of Patong Parasail Club, asked all parasail operators to no longer allow children under the age of six years old on parasail rides and they agreed.
“We have yet to decide on the exact age and height, but it is obvious that operators were not cautious enough with this tourist,” he said.
“For the past 30 years there have not been any official rules for parasail operators to abide by, but this parasail operator should have already known to take better care of tourists’ safety than this, regardless of how careless a parent might be with their own child,” he explained.
He references the recent case of the death of Roger John Hussey, a 70-year-old Australian man who died after falling into the sea during a parasail ride at Kata Beach in July as another case proving that stricter guidelines need to be enforced.
Story: The Phuket News
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