- The 43-year-old man was swimming at Karon Beach on the island of Phuket.
A British tourist has drowned after being swept out to sea by a rip current in front of his group of friends on a Thai holiday island.
The businessman was traveling with six friends to the paradise island of Phuket when he was caught in dangerous conditions on Tuesday afternoon.
The 43-year-old was swimming at Karon Beach when a strong current began to carry him away from the shore.
A bystander helped 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 Vachira Phuket Hospital and the British embassy in Bangkok was said to have been informed of his death.
The businessman was traveling with six friends to the paradise island of Phuket when he was caught in dangerous conditions on Tuesday afternoon.
The 43-year-old was swimming at Karon Beach when a rip current began to pull him away from the shore.
Police have warned tourists visiting the island, one of Asia’s most popular destinations, to avoid swimming in the sea until the end of the year.
Speaking about the drownings, 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 disorient people.
‘It is important that everyone avoids going into the sea, even if they are experienced swimmers. There are red flags on the beach in the most dangerous areas.’
The UK Foreign Office said in a statement: “We support the family of a British man who died in Thailand and are in contact with local authorities.”
Phuket is a large island off the western coast of Thailand bordering the Andaman Sea, which extends into the Bay of Bengal towards India.
Dozens of tourists drown each year, even in relatively calm conditions, while swimming along this notoriously dangerous coastline.
During the annual monsoon season, conditions can be deadly.
During the season, from September to December, the Andaman coast experiences 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, American 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 that same month, James Edmond Newman, 44, from New York, and his Thai girlfriend Waranya Chanphai, 48, were found drowned on Mai Khao beach in Phuket amid bad weather.
