Chinese Tourist Drowns While Retrieving Drone off Satun Beach

Picture courtesy of Kaoded.

A Chinese tourist drowned off the coast of Ko Lipe in Satun province on the afternoon of 9 July, while attempting to retrieve a drone that had fallen into the sea.

At approximately 16:00, officers from Ko Lipe Police Station, including Police Captain Sujit Piriya and Police Lieutenant Beedan Saripa, received reports of a drowning incident near the beach on Ko Lipe, Koh Sarai Subdistrict, Mueang Satun District.

The victim was identified as Mr Liu Xiaoling, a 29-year-old Chinese national who had been staying on Ko Lipe since 6 July and was due to leave on 10 July.

According to eyewitnesses, Mr Liu was filming with a drone along the beach when the device malfunctioned and crashed into the sea. He swam out in an attempt to retrieve it. Two fellow Chinese tourists witnessed the incident but were unable to assist as they could not swim.

Moments later, two foreign tourists passed by in a kayak. The onlookers called out for help, prompting the kayakers to paddle towards the scene. They found Mr Liu face-down in the water, caught among rocks about offshore. The pair managed to pull him back to land and attempted CPR for approximately 15 minutes, until responders arrived.

Unfortunately, their efforts were in vain. It is believed Mr Liu had been submerged for around 20 minutes before rescue attempts began. His body was later transported to Satun Hospital for post-mortem examination and authorities are proceeding with legal formalities.

The Chinese embassy has been notified and is assisting with necessary arrangements with the victims family.

  Adapted by Asean Now from Koaded 2025-07-11