Accident Japanese Tourist Drowns at Karon Beach During Phuket Holiday

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

An incident occurred at Karon Beach today when a 34-year-old Japanese man drowned while swimming, soon after arriving in Phuket for a short holiday with his girlfriend.

 

At around 12:30 on 28 June, Pol. Lt. Col. Jaras Lempan of Karon Police Station received a report that a tourist was in critical condition after drowning in the sea off Karon Beach. Emergency responders transported the man to Patong Hospital, but medical staff were unable to revive him despite prolonged CPR efforts. He was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

 

The deceased, whose name has not yet been released pending notification of family, had flown to Phuket on 27 June with his 33-year-old girlfriend. The couple had planned to stay for three days, with their trip scheduled to end on 29 June.

 

According to police investigations, the couple had gone for a swim in the sea during the late morning. It was then that the man encountered difficulty and went under. His girlfriend, visibly distraught, told authorities that she did not wish for a post-mortem examination at Vachira Phuket Hospital, believing the cause of death to be accidental drowning.

 

Police will now coordinate with the Japanese Embassy to ensure that all legal and diplomatic procedures are followed.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-06-29

 

 

 

[stevenl]

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

His girlfriend, visibly distraught, told authorities that she did not wish for a post-mortem examination at Vachira Phuket Hospital, believing the cause of death to be accidental drowning.

Sad.

 

Do agree with this though, what's the point of a post mortem in a situation like this. Just leave him be.

[Georgealbert]

33 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Sad.

 

Do agree with this though, what's the point of a post mortem in a situation like this. Just leave him be.

Post mortem would confirm the cause of death, which many insurance companies may want.

 

It also rules out all other possibilities. Will confirm nothing in the system, alcohol, medication or drugs. Will confirm no external injuries or existing medical conditions.

 

Also if no other witnesses, it is only her account, so police may want additional evidence.

 

Most embassies also require post mortem, before issuing documents, etc.

[hotchilli]

Very ad situation for the girlfriend... 

[impulse]

23 hours ago, stevenl said:

Sad.

 

Do agree with this though, what's the point of a post mortem in a situation like this. Just leave him be.

 

I'm not sure what standing the GF has to decide.  She may not be too keen on blood toxicology results.

 

At the very least, they should contact the family.  They may have their own suspicions.

 

[JJ-Thailand]

On 6/29/2025 at 5:55 AM, stevenl said:

Do agree with this though, what's the point of a post mortem in a situation like this. Just leave him be.

In some countries they will always perform a post mortem when a foreigner die but I don't know about Thailand. They seem to be a bit flexible following their own regulations.

[Srikcir]

I would think that Japanese living on an island would have good swimming capability to at least reach the beach shore.

"most Japanese can swim well with crawl and breast stroke, but are not good at staying afloat, backstroke, diving, and underwater swimming," The History and Problem of Swimming Education in Japan, International Aquatic History Symposium and Film Festival 2012.

An autopsy and/or consultation with family might indicate an issue with his "staying afloat', etc. His medical history and swimming proficiency might further cause for drowning. His girlfriend didn't seem to be able to add any information regarding his "went under." 

 

[Speedhump]

Phuket beaches are actually dangerous close to shore when breakers are very strong (red flag conditions,which so many people just ignore). Very uneven bottom and people trying to walk to shore are being pummeled off their feet by big breakers from behind whilst in quite shallow water. Sea and sand create a soup meaning you don't know which way is up until the following wave is already coming in, meantime the strong ebb of the last wave is sucking you away from shore and the sand bottom is like quicksand as it's all in motion. Finding your feet on almost liquid sand can be very difficult, and body strength is the important thing, not swimming ability.

 

RIP to the several swimmers who have already died in the sea at Phuket this year.

[stevenl]

On 6/30/2025 at 10:12 AM, impulse said:

 

I'm not sure what standing the GF has to decide.  She may not be too keen on blood toxicology results.

 

At the very least, they should contact the family.  They may have their own suspicions.

 

Suspicions about what? Do you think they were alone at the beach and she drowned him?

Toxicology, why? Even if he was drunk, so what?

[impulse]

23 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Suspicions about what? Do you think they were alone at the beach and she drowned him?

Toxicology, why? Even if he was drunk, so what?

 

If they don't know whether there were drugs in his system, they're just guessing at the circumstances of his death.

 

Of course, if you're the cops on an island that depends on tourists drinking out of buckets, that may be the way you want it.  If he was my family, I'd want to know if there was a crime committed.

 

[stevenl]

46 minutes ago, impulse said:

If they don't know whether there were drugs in his system, they're just guessing at the circumstances of his death.

So? Does it matter whether he died from drugs, alcohol or drowning? And why throwing in 'suspicious', nothing suspicious here.

Leave him be.

[impulse]

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

So? Does it matter whether he died from drugs, alcohol or drowning? And why throwing in 'suspicious', nothing suspicious here.

Leave him be.

 

I'm afraid we're going to have to agree to disagree here.

 

I don't think it's appropriate for the cops to guess or assume there was no foul play.  Especially with multiple stories of drinks spiked with GHB, DEET, methanol and other substances, not to mention hotel guests found dead in their rooms from pesticide poisoning over the years. The public deserves to know if there's some dangers to be wary of.

 

There may be a 95%+ chance that it's a simple case of drowning, perhaps after some plain vanilla toddies.  But if he were my family member, I'd be asking for an autopsy, especially a toxicology test.  Even setting aside any search for guilt, there may be insurance considerations where the payout (if any) depends on the manner of death.  The cops' sticking their heads in the sand isn't a good idea when a young, healthy person dies before their time.

 

 

[stevenl]

20 hours ago, impulse said:

I'm afraid we're going to have to agree to disagree here.

Agreed.

 

'the public has a right to know '. The public knows, he drowned. But if you really want to know, feel free to check with vachira about the results of any autopsy.