- The 43-year-old had been swimming off Karon beach on the island of Phuket
A British tourist has drowned after being dragged out to sea by a riptide in front of his group of friends on a Thai holiday island.
The businessman had been on a trip with six friends to the paradise island of Phuket when he got caught in treacherous conditions on Tuesday afternoon.
The 43-year-old was swimming off Karon beach when he began to be pulled away from the shore by a strong rip current.
An onlooker helped to pull the man from the water and a lifeguard administered CPR before paramedics arrived at the scene.
Tragically, they were unable to revive the man. His body was taken to the Vachira Phuket Hospital and the British Embassy in Bangkok is said to have been informed of his death.
The businessman had been on a trip with six friends to the paradise island of Phuket when he got caught in treacherous conditions on Tuesday afternoon
The 43-year-old was swimming off Karon Beach when he began to be pulled away from the shore by a rip current
Police have warned holidaymakers visiting the island – one of the most popular destinations in Asia – to avoid swimming in the sea until the end of the year.
Speaking about the drowning, Lieutenant Colonel Eakkasak Fanwhan said: ‘The sea along the coast of Phuket is very dangerous but even more than normal at this time of the year. There are hidden currents that can make people disorientated.
‘It is important that everyone avoids going into the sea, even if they are experienced swimmers. There are red flags on the beach at the most dangerous areas.’
The UK Foreign Office said in a statement: ‘We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities.’
Phuket is a large island on the western coast of Thailand bordering the Andaman Sea, which stretches into the Bay of Bengal towards India.
Dozens of tourists drown every year – even in relatively calm conditions – when they swim along the notoriously dangerous coastline.
During the annual monsoon season, the conditions can be deadly.
The season – from September to December – sees the Andaman coast 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 the 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 powerful 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.
