Phuket Island on alert after several tourist drownings

Phuket authorities are on alert after five tourists, including four foreigners, drowned on its beaches over the past week.

See: 4 tourists drowned in just 5 days in Phuket, Thailand

Phuket Town district chief Pairoj Srilamoon said on Friday, August 4, that five cases of drowning had been reported between July 28 and August 3.

Since the beginning of the year, 12 people have drowned in rough seas.

The five recent drownings involved a Senegalese tourist on Freedom Beach, two Indian tourists on Karon Beach, a Thai tourist and a Russian tourist on Surin Beach.

On Friday, July 28, a Senegalese visitor drowned while swimming at Freedom Beach in the resort town of Karon.

On Sunday, July 30, a Thai tourist from Phitsanulok province died and two others were rescued on Surin Beach.

On Tuesday, August 1, two Indian tourists drowned and a third was rescued after being swept out to sea by tides on Karon Beach.

The body of the last victim was found on Thursday, August 3, on Surin beach.

Mr. Pairoj said it was a Russian tourist named Alexander I., 41.

He had traveled to Phuket with relatives and stayed at a hotel near Surin Beach.

A rescuer performed cardiac massage before taking him to Thalang Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

In all cases, red flags had been placed along the beaches to warn people that swimming was prohibited due to the strength of the waves, currents and winds during the monsoon season.

However, the bathers did not heed the warnings and lost their lives.

Security measures will be increased

Rescuers attempt to revive a drowning man on a Phuket beach. Photo: Chiang Rai Times

Faced with the increasing number of drownings on the island, Governor Narong Woonciew has ordered local authorities and lifeguards to pay closer attention to the safety of tourists.

He ordered the installation of warning signs clearly indicating that the sea is rough and that certain areas are off-limits to swimming.

Police will now patrol more frequently to protect tourists.

Deputy Governor Anuphap Rodkwan Yodrabam held a meeting with the public and private sectors on Friday to discuss security measures.

Mr. Anuphap said he had ordered local administrative offices to check the number of lifeguards on each beach and pledged to hire more if necessary.

Local authorities should also check whether lifeguards need further training and whether they have sufficient rescue equipment.

He added that local authorities would partner with the private sector to campaign for tourist safety and that more information on safety would be disseminated.

“Some drowning cases have been caused by rule violations.

That said, we have been in constant discussions to try to prevent tourists from drowning since May,” Mr. Anuphap said.

Once again, lawless travelers are putting their own lives and those of rescuers at risk, forcing authorities to step up security measures.

Source: Bangkok Post