Pictures courtesy of Matichon

The body of a Canadian tourist has been recovered from the sea off Sam Roi Yot district in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, three days after he was swept away by strong waves while swimming. The discovery has brought a tragic end to an intensive search operation that had been suspended due to dangerous sea conditions and has prompted renewed warnings about swimming during rough weather.

On 10 January, Pol Capt Kowit Sukboonthong, a deputy investigation officer at Sam Roi Yot Police Station, was notified by the fishing vessel Chok Peeraphong that a body had been spotted floating near Don Ta Khaeng sandbank, about one nautical mile offshore. The boat owner transported the body back to shore at Khlong Bang Hak, Moo 2, Sam Roi Yot subdistrict, where police, forensic staff from Sam Roi Yot Hospital, and rescue workers from the Sawang Methee Thammasathan Sam Roi Yot Foundation carried out an initial examination.

The deceased was identified as a foreign male, approximately 60 years old, with the body already showing signs of decomposition, including peeling skin. He was found shirtless, wearing only grey swimwear and had distinctive tattoos, including a five-line yantra tattoo on the back of his left shoulder and an image with lettering on his right arm. No wounds or signs of assault were found and authorities estimated that he had been dead for at least two days before being recovered, after which the body was taken to Sam Roi Yot Hospital for preservation.

Later the same day, a foreign tourist came forward and confirmed the identity of the deceased as his friend, Mr Thom Gregory John, aged 63, a Canadian national. Police investigations revealed that Mr John had travelled to Hua Hin district on 7 January with two friends and checked into a local hotel. He later went swimming in the sea near the side of Wat Khao Takiab, despite strong waves, and was swept under and disappeared.

At the time of the incident, officials launched a full search and rescue effort but were forced to halt operations due to sea waves measuring approximately two to three metres in height, which made conditions unsafe. The body was eventually found drifting in waters within Sam Roi Yot district, some distance from the original location of the incident.

Authorities have recorded the death as consistent with drowning, and police will coordinate with relevant agencies and the Canadian embassy regarding formal procedures. Further steps will include arrangements for the handling and release of the body to relatives, while officials continue to remind the public and tourists to heed weather warnings and avoid swimming during periods of strong winds and high waves.

Key Takeaways

• A 63-year-old Canadian tourist was found dead at sea three days after disappearing while swimming near Hua Hin.

• Search efforts were initially suspended due to dangerous wave conditions of two to three metres.

• Police found no signs of foul play and believe the death was caused by drowning.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now from Matichon 2026-01-11

 

 

This is sad.

Please always be careful in the ocean, especially near the beach shore, where strong undertow currents can pull you off your feet and take you out to sea. Many will try to swim back, but the current keeps pulling them further out. If an undertow takes you out, swim parallel to the beach. Undertows are usually not wide and are only 50 to 100 meters wide, but the current goes further out in the sea.

4 minutes ago, NedR69 said:

This is sad.

Please always be careful in the ocean, especially near the beach shore, where strong undertow currents can pull you off your feet and take you out to sea. Many will try to swim back, but the current keeps pulling them further out. If an undertow takes you out, swim parallel to the beach. Undertows are usually not wide and are only 50 to 100 meters wide, but the current goes further out in the sea.

True but some people have no idea how to handle the ocean.

I think many of us have this version of ourselves where we think we're fairly invincible, of course none of us are. Regardless of how good a swimmer you are, if you're far enough out in rough seas, and the currents are really strong all bets are off. We've been experiencing a really strong northeasterly recently and the waves have been pounding. That is not a good time to go out for a swim.

I know this may sound a little bit cold but survival instincts are needed to thrive in this world, and sometimes a mistake is wearing white to a formal event after Labor Day in New York City, and sometimes a mistake is invading Russia in the summertime, and not planning for the onset of winter.

RIP and prayers for your family and friends.