Warning! Monsoon Season in Phuket starts NOW!

BEWARE!

April is the start of monsoon season in Phuket, Thailand, a popular study abroad destination.

Costs are cheaper during Phuket’s monsoon season, which many student abroad programs may leverage.  However, monsoon winds cause large waves and hazardous rip currents to form.

ClearCause advisor, Dr. John R. Fletemeyer, Aquatic Safety Specialist and research professor at Florida International University, traveled to Phuket to study rip currents and beach safety.

Dr. Fletemeyer discovered that some of Phuket’s rip currents have a velocity of slightly over a meter per second. He found monsoons sometimes transport hazardous debris onto local beaches and bring huge logs and flotsam into the surf zone. Drowning amongst tourists are common during the monsoon season. They often do not understand red flags mean “WARNING – Rip Current!” Or, how deadly rip currents can be.  Tourists sometimes disobey lifeguard safety attempts. Dr. Fletemeyer noted many lifeguards supervising Phuket’s dangerous beaches are understaffed, poorly trained and inadequately supervised.

How to Avoid Riptide Danger:

• A single Red flag or Double Red Flag are raised on beaches to warn swimmers of rip current danger. -Do NOT swim in the ocean if there are red flags being flown!
• Educate yourself about rip currents and what to do if you or someone else gets stuck in one. You could save a life!
• Unless you are an experienced ocean swimmer, NEVER attempt a rescue of a bather caught in a rip current.  One drowning is horrific, don’t make it two!
• If you see a bather caught in a rip current, try to find a lifeguard or get professional help.
• Learn about your destination’s safety and security concerns and more from the State Department. An ounce of prevention to prepare yourself.
• Don’t ever swim alone! Look for warning signs and obey them.
• Ask locals about the existence of aquatic hazards.
• Never drink alcohol before swimming.
• Never swim during moderate or rough surf conditions.
• Don’t swim at night, during the early evening or early morning.
• Always be on the lookout for dangerous marine life.
• Always practice “touch supervision” with young children - stay within touch of your child when in or near the water.
• Download the ASAPP Checklist before you study abroad to ensure you have emergency contacts and all the necessary information to avoid danger at all costs.
• Get the ASAPP SOS app to send a GPS alert your emergency contacts if needed.

Many tourists, and study abroad students, die from dangerous rip currents.  

We honor and remember, top to bottom, Joshua Shane (Phuket), Erik Downes and Ravi Thackurdeen (Costa Rica).

We must do all we can to save the lives of our students who study abroad.












Seasons of Phuket

According to Know Phuket, three seasons dictate Phuket’s weather - a cool season, a hot season and a rainy season. The cool season starts in November and goes until February, bringing blue skies, little rain and lower humidity. This is the best time to visit Phuket. From March to early May, the hot season is dry and temperatures rise. Rainy season begins when monsoon winds start blowing in April or May. Most of Phuket’s rainfall occurs in May, September and October. The rainy season is monsoon season. Caution Advised.