Four tourists drowned in the sea off Phuket in five days
(Editorial Credit: thipjang / Shutterstock.com)
In just five days, four tourists have died from drowning on the Thai paradise island of Phuket. The rainy season is currently in full swing in Thailand, leading to unusually high waves.
On Tuesday evening local time, two Indian vacationers met their fateful end when they were swept away by a violent undertow at popular Karon Beach. Despite the swimming ban, indicated by red flags on the beach, the victims ignored the warnings. Fortunately, a third person who was in trouble was saved.
Earlier, on Sunday, a Thai tourist had already drowned while swimming at Surin Beach and last Friday the same happened to a Senegalese holidaymaker at Freedom Beach.
The rainy season in Thailand, mainly in the Andaman Sea where Phuket is located, is accompanied by high waves. Tourists tend to underestimate the risks involved. Every year, countless victims, mostly tourists, drown in the Thai seas. The causes are multiple and range from strong currents and high waves to a lack of awareness about the dangers of swimming in unfamiliar waters.
The rainy season, which runs from May to October, is particularly dangerous. During this period, the waves in the Andaman Sea, on the west coast of Thailand, become particularly high and powerful. In addition, currents can be unpredictable and treacherous. Yet it seems that many tourists underestimate these dangers.
Contributing to this problem is that warnings on beaches are often ignored. Red flags indicating a swimming ban are overlooked or not taken seriously. This situation is exacerbated by the lack of adequate supervision and rescue facilities on some beaches.
However, the Thai authorities are working to reduce this number. Campaigns have been launched to raise awareness about the dangers of swimming in the sea, especially during the rainy season. In addition, investments are being made in training for lifeguards and improved signaling on the beaches.
Unfortunately an annual phenomenon in Phuket at this time of year.
And yesterday a Russian, very sad this, RIP https://aseannow.com/topic/1302510-russian-man-drowns-at-phuket-beach-after-allegedly-ignoring-no-swimming-warnings/
A red flag means in all languages that you are not allowed to swim there when it is displayed. The fact that tough guys show up who laugh off these warnings in order to do their own thing and then get into trouble because of the currents is a common occurrence. Then other people have to risk their lives to save those crazy people. The only reason why things sometimes go wrong is their own.
Indeed Rudi, many tough guys do indeed think that the red flag serves no purpose. And especially if there is some alcohol involved.
A few days ago the same story in the seaside resort of Ostend on the Belgian coast. Swimming ban ignored and unfortunately dragged along by the dangerous current.
All in all sad for the families affected by this.
Yesterday we visited Pig Island from Koh Samui by longtail boat, the outward journey went without any problems, but on the return trip a big storm arose... this made the waves dangerously high in a fraction of a minute...
Even with a green flag I don't go into the sea here !!!
To die like this in such a beautiful country is always sad.
Condolences to the bereaved.