A 75-year-old British pensioner from Liverpool has died after being swept out to sea while swimming in Hua Hin. The man was reportedly caught in a rip current as his girlfriend watched from the beach, unable to help. His body was later discovered by a fisherman near a pier at around 4.30pm local time on Wednesday, 15 April.

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Police Captain Prasong Jaturat said the victim was a widower whose family remains in England, where he lives with his children, since the death of his wife. He had been swimming every morning at the same location since arriving in Thailand, where conditions had typically been calm. On the day of the incident, however, the sea was rough and no other swimmers were in the water.

Authorities believe the man entered the sea near the mouth of a bay, in a ferry channel used by vessels. The area is known to be particularly deep due to dredging for large boats. It is thought he may have been caught in a rip current and pulled under by strong waves.

Witnesses alerted police after the body was found, and officers were called to the scene shortly afterwards. The body was transported to Hua Hin Hospital for a post-mortem examination. The UK Foreign Office has been contacted for comment regarding the incident.

Beach drownings remain a recurring safety concern in Thailand, particularly in popular tourist destinations such as Phuket, Pattaya and Krabi. Incidents are often linked to strong rip currents, lack of swimming ability and failure to follow warning signs posted along beaches.

The risks are typically higher during the rainy monsoon season, when red flags are displayed to warn of dangerous sea conditions. However, fatalities can occur throughout the year due to the unpredictable nature of coastal waters in both the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea.

Officials continue to urge swimmers to exercise caution, particularly in unfamiliar areas or near boat channels where currents may be stronger. Greater awareness of rip current risks and adherence to safety warnings are seen as key measures to prevent similar tragedies.

The Sun reported that further updates may follow pending the results of the post-mortem examination and any additional findings from local authorities.

Picture courtesy of The Sun

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Adapted by ASEAN Now The-Sun 17 Apr 2026

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RIP 🙏🙏🙏😢

One has to recognise limitations that come with age. I can no longer swim 25 yards underwater as I used to and that is for sure.

Sad for the guy and his girlfriend.

I’m surprised they couldn’t have alerted a lifeguard that had a jet ski or a little boat that could’ve went out there and saved his life TIT

RIP..very sad to read

28 minutes ago, TheFishman1 said:

I’m surprised they couldn’t have alerted a lifeguard that had a jet ski or a little boat that could’ve went out there and saved his life TIT

Who...did anyone see him???

13 minutes ago, baansgr said:

Who...did anyone see him???

Yeah it says his girlfriend watched the whole thing happen.

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

One has to recognise limitations that come with age. I can no longer swim 25 yards underwater as I used to and that is for sure.

Sad for the guy and his girlfriend.

oh that's too bad , I used to do 50 underwater in one breath hold

One would think that on populated beaches like Hua Hin they could certainly afford to have a couple of lifeguards on duty.

Drowning has to be a very terrifying way to die.

i gave up swimming in the sea around Thailand many years ago

Stick to the swimming pool safer

RIP to the guy

Relax, float faceup, begin to swim whats referred to as elemental backstroke, when you can, roll to freestyle, parallel to the beach til out of the rip then in.

54 minutes ago, PhilipHabib said:

oh that's too bad , I used to do 50 underwater in one breath hold

In the sea?, in a rip current?

1 hour ago, Farage said:

RIP..very sad to read

Happens every week. You don't hear about all of them.

28 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

One would think that on populated beaches like Hua Hin they could certainly afford to have a couple of lifeguards on duty.

Drowning has to be a very terrifying way to die.

According to a friend of mine who drown and was resuscitated, it is incredibly peaceful.

1 minute ago, connda said:

According to a friend of mine who drown and was resuscitated, it is incredibly peaceful.

I think if you're okay with death, if you're terminally ill, if you are depressed, or if you are suicidal, it's likely a peaceful way to go if you just give into it, but I think if you have a strong desire to live it has to be terrifying, regardless of what some people say.

Considering the cause of his death, 'rip' is maybe not appropriate...

39 minutes ago, shackleton said:

i gave up swimming in the sea around Thailand many years ago

Stick to the swimming pool safer

RIP to the guy

Does anyone not rest in peace?

Let's pray that he had sold up at home and everything was in the GF's name.

2 hours ago, TheFishman1 said:

I’m surprised they couldn’t have alerted a lifeguard that had a jet ski or a little boat that could’ve went out there and saved his life TIT

Not a realistic scenario given the circumstances. He was pulled out to sea faster than anyone could react. Look up rip tide currents.

32 minutes ago, connda said:

According to a friend of mine who drown and was resuscitated, it is incredibly peaceful.

Is that why governments use simulated drowning as torture? Waterboarding?

1 hour ago, deesquared said:

Yeah it says his girlfriend watched the whole thing happen.

What makes you think she just stood there and did nothing? Were you there? Do you think she didn't do so much as call police? Where was she supposed to go if there were no lifeguards? It was a ferry channel used by vessels, not a swimming area.

2 minutes ago, Jonathan Swift said:

What makes you think she just stood there and did nothing? Were you there?

She Wouldn't have surely, But NO I Wasn't there.....

Rip to the guy and sadly, the shock his kids will get when they hear he has drowned.

Unless he had secretly married the girlfriend or written a will, everything will go to his children. Whatever is in his hotel room may miraculously disappear however.

1 hour ago, connda said:

According to a friend of mine who drown and was resuscitated, it is incredibly peaceful.

no, the person must panic, but it probably doesn't take very long to drown.

2 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

One would think that on populated beaches like Hua Hin they could certainly afford to have a couple of lifeguards on duty.

Drowning has to be a very terrifying way to die.

Many years ago when I lived there I think I read a story where funds were available for lifeguards, but they had been 'misappropriated'/lifeguards weren't being paid.

2 hours ago, Rockyroad said:

Happens every week. You don't hear about all of them.

Actually about 2 or 3 times a day on average over the year.

Not sure if drowning is peaceful, though probably quick, once panic is over. Didn't panic myself, or don't remember. Only remember I couldn't reach my little sailboat, and next thing I know, was laying on my back poolside. Too young to remember much.

He might not have drowned at all, and simply had a coronary, or stroke. He was 75.

2 hours ago, shackleton said:

i gave up swimming in the sea around Thailand many years ago

Stick to the swimming pool safer

RIP to the guy

I surfed in California and Hawaii and have been in some incredibly strong rips. They are fine as long as you don't lose your head.
However, now at 74? Swimming pools. Surfing days ended when I moved to Thailand. For every time there is a season.

8 minutes ago, connda said:

I surfed in California and Hawaii and have been in some incredibly strong rips. They are fine as long as you don't lose your head.
However, now at 74? Swimming pools. Surfing days ended when I moved to Thailand. For every time there is a season.

I’m of that age and swim a few hundred metres out to sea. Essential difference is I’m an ex diver and will have proper divers fins and face mask / snorkel . Huge difference.

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

he may have been caught in a rip current and pulled under by strong waves.

Rip currents do not pull you under the water.

Strong waves if high like 3 meters can push one under water if continuous but otherwise carry one along the water surface, ie., like body surfing.

Likely the victim simply didn't have the strength to encounter the rip current and wave action.

5 hours ago, Farage said:

RIP..very sad to read

My thoughts entirely- very sad

RIP