Thread: Phuket Tourist Drowns at Karon As Phuket Monsoon Beach Toll Mounts

Phuket Tourist Drowns at Karon As Phuket Monsoon Beach Toll Mounts

PHUKET: A Russian tourist drowned at Phuket's Karon beach about 1pm today - on the third day after lifeguards returned to Phuket's popular west holiday coast.

Phuket's image as a year-round beach holiday destination is marred each year in the monsoon season by tourist drownings.

The Russian man celebrated his 33rd birthday on Monday.

He went to Karon beach today with two friends from the neighboring beach destination of Patong, where they were staying at the Sunsert Mansion.

After ordering drinks on the beach, the men disregarded red flags flying on the beach and went for a swim - into a spot where a deadly ''fixed rip'' is a known killer.

Authorities try to warn people about the dangers of swimming at this time of the year, yet some visitors ignore signs and insist on enjoying their paid-for beach holiday.

Karon, mostly a tranquil beach between November and April, continues to claim tourists from May to October - whether or not the lifeguards are on duty.

Lifeguards who performed CPR on the man today came to the conclusion he had been drinking alcohol.

The location of the two deadly ''fixed rips'' on Karon beach has been pointed out to authorities, yet tourists still swim and drown in those spots.

The man's body is now in Vachira Phuket Hospital, in Phuket City. Two Frenchmen drowned within the space of three days earlier this month on Phuket's west coast beaches, one at Freedom beach, south of Patong, the other at Karon.

Mutil-language posters warning of the dangers are being printed but have yet to be erected.

Needless drownings are likely to continue just as long as the monsoon season is promoted as ''summer'' on Phuket and resorts on Phuket's west coast fail to properly warn their guests.

Phuket Tourist Drowns at Karon As Phuket Monsoon Beach Toll Mounts - Phuket Wan