- The 43-year-old was swimming off Karon beach on Phuket island
A British tourist has drowned after being dragged out to sea by a tidal wave in front of his group of friends on a Thai holiday island.
The businessman was traveling to the paradise island of Phuket with six friends when he was caught under treacherous circumstances on Tuesday afternoon.
The 43-year-old was swimming off Karon beach when he was pulled away from shore by a strong current.
A bystander helped pull the man from the water and a lifeguard performed CPR before paramedics arrived on the scene.
Tragically, they failed to revive the man. His body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital and the British Embassy in Bangkok is said to have been informed of his death.
The businessman was traveling to the paradise island of Phuket with six friends when he was caught under treacherous circumstances on Tuesday afternoon.
The 43-year-old was swimming off the coast of Karon Beach when he was pulled away from shore by a current.
Police have warned holidaymakers visiting the island – one of Asia’s most popular destinations – not to swim in the sea until the end of the year.
Commenting on the drowning, Lieutenant Colonel Eakkasak Fanwhan said: ‘The sea along the coast of Phuket is very dangerous, but even more so than normal at this time of year. There are hidden currents that can make people disoriented.
‘It is important that everyone does not go into the sea, even if they are experienced swimmers. On the beach there are red flags in the most dangerous places.’
The UK Foreign Office said in a statement: ‘We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Thailand and are in contact with local authorities.’
Phuket is a large island on the west coast of Thailand, bordering the Andaman Sea, which extends into the Bay of Bengal towards India.
Dozens of tourists drown every year – even in relatively calm conditions – while swimming along the notoriously dangerous coastline.
During the annual monsoon season, conditions can be deadly.
During the season – from September to December – the Andaman coast is hit by strong waves and seasonal tides can also pose a risk.
Paramedics were unable to revive the man and his body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital
In June this year, Belgian tourist Allan Deraut Luvovadio, 28, from Chatelet, drowned in Phuket.
A few days earlier, US veteran James Everett du Bois, 49, was swimming with his family at Nai Harn Beach on the same island when he was swept away by a strong current.
While in the same month, James Edmond Newman, 44, from New York, and his Thai girlfriend Waranya Chanphai, 48, were found drowned at Mai Khao Beach in Phuket, amid rough weather.