Six foreign tourists, including Russians, Indians and Israelis, were swept away from Nai Thon beach in Phuket on the morning of 11 August 2026 after entering the sea despite red warning flags, according to local lifeguards.

The incident happened at about 9am at Nai Thon beach in Sakhu, Thalang district. Strong waves and currents carried the six visitors away from shore, requiring lifeguards and volunteers to respond in seas with waves estimated at over two metres and strong winds, to rescue them.

Six tourists caught in dangerous surf

Nai Thon beach is about one kilometre long and, during Phuket's low season, can experience particularly rough sea conditions. Four lifeguards from Sakhu Subdistrict Administrative Organisation are stationed there, supported by around two volunteer lifeguards.

A volunteer lifeguard identified as Mr Nu said some foreign visitors routinely ignore beach safety warnings, even after staff explain the rules and restricted areas. Some become angry with lifeguards, he said, believing that the presence of lifeguards means swimming is safe.

He stressed that this is not the case. When waves and winds are strong, staff mark no-swimming areas with red flags, yet some tourists reportedly avoid officials and enter the water from another part of the beach.

For visitors and residents, a red flag should be treated as a clear instruction not to enter the sea, rather than simply a warning to take extra care. Lifeguards may be on duty, but they cannot make dangerous surf or rip currents safe.

Pictures courtesy of Amarin

Lifeguards call for more staff and equipment

Mr Nu said limited staffing means crews are split into two teams, covering opposite ends of the beach. When an emergency occurs, they must run immediately to the scene, while entering the water to rescue someone being pulled offshore puts rescuers themselves at risk of being dragged out by waves and currents.

He called on relevant agencies to consider increasing lifeguard numbers and providing more equipment and vehicles, including ATV vehicles for patrols along the beach, so crews can reach emergencies faster.

Another volunteer, Mr Om, who runs a surfboard rental business on the Nai Thon beachfront, said he helped rescue around two of the six tourists swept out that morning.

He confirmed that red flags had been clearly displayed. He added that the problem was not limited to that day: seven tourists were pulled offshore the previous day, with all safely rescued.

Video courtesy of Phuketinsta

Join the discussion?

12 August 2026

View full article

A good start maybe?

3 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Nai Thon beach in Phuket on the morning of 11 August 2026 after entering the sea despite red warning flags

F THESE IDIOTS!! You reap what you sow….🤦🏻

Why should people risk their life to save others who ignore warning flags? If the swimmers want to play Russian Roulette with their life, up to them. Why involve others.

They are on holidays and came to the beach to swim. Does not matter about the dangerous conditions, we are going for a swim!

Saw it so many times on Australian beaches with surf much more dangerous than in the video.

These tourists probably didn't grow up or near an ocean.

It's not so much the waves or the surf, its what is under the surface down near your knees when standing - a strong under tow current that will knock you off balance and swept out to sea. They may try to swim back to the beach, but they don't get anywhere because of the current. If this happens, swim parallel to the beach for a short distance and then attempt swimming back to the beach. It helps to have a few brain cells too, when the red flag is up, do not enter the water.

Growing up with beautiful beaches only 3km away, I avoid the beach. It's nothing but sand and salt water. It gets on and inside everything and everywhere. But looks beautiful walking or riding on the boardwalk.

People routinely ignore the flags. Stupid. Full credit though for having those lifeguards there.

The undertow at Nai Thon is the worst I've seen around the island. I'm a lifelong surfer, lifeguard and one day when I was there with a female cousin the surf was slamming on the shore and you could see the backwash sand from the undercurrent 5 meters back away from the shore. Scoot over the top with a surfboard, body surfing, better know what you are doing.

As kids in CA, we used to play in that, elevator back shoot, get spit out laughing. As someone that doesn't know the water,,,,that's a drowning.

1 hour ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Why should people risk their life to save others who ignore warning flags? If the swimmers want to play Russian Roulette with their life, up to them. Why involve others.

Indeed- it a combination of stupidity and selfishness really

1 hour ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Why should people risk their life to save others who ignore warning flags? If the swimmers want to play Russian Roulette with their life, up to them. Why involve others.

My permanent time in Thailand 2005-2016, pulled 30+ people out of the water. Have you seen Thai people fully clothed, jeans, shirts, you are not going to help?

Saved a dog one day. Dog licked me on the head as it an owner left the beach. Pretty sure I have a +1 there when I sit with God on my passing.

3 hours ago, NedR69 said:

These tourists probably didn't grow up or near an ocean.

Neither did I (being a city boy) but I know a red flag could indicate danger!

Coupled with those waves (common around Phuket at this time of year) and the meanest intelligence......... never mind - you can't fix stupid!

2 hours ago, Priorexpat said:

The undertow at Nai Thon is the worst I've seen around the island. I'm a lifelong surfer, lifeguard and one day when I was there with a female cousin the surf was slamming on the shore and you could see the backwash sand from the undercurrent 5 meters back away from the shore. Scoot over the top with a surfboard, body surfing, better know what you are doing.

As kids in CA, we used to play in that, elevator back shoot, get spit out laughing. As someone that doesn't know the water,,,,that's a drowning.

Been swimming a lot in the area, and as a surfer you know the nature of rip currents and how to navigate around them. The most critical thing, and I do not tell you this, but for others who might read and end up in such an incident, is do not fight the current. Relax, breathe, you float. If you cannot get out immediately, let it carry you rather than exhausting yourself trying to swim straight back to shore. Then try to move sideways out of the current and make your way back in.

2 hours ago, Priorexpat said:

My permanent time in Thailand 2005-2016, pulled 30+ people out of the water. Have you seen Thai people fully clothed, jeans, shirts, you are not going to help?

Saved a dog one day. Dog licked me on the head as it an owner left the beach. Pretty sure I have a +1 there when I sit with God on my passing.

The sea is a dangerous place one must respect it or perish.in my view people who run or swim towards danger are heroes.and my deepest condolences to the bereaved I know as I’ve lost my dad to the sea and many friends over the years.

Morons... it's simple, see red flags flapping in the wind = don't swim, don't see red flags = can swin (esepcially in monsoon season with rough seas). Does it need to anymore simple or are you just trying to remove yourself from the gen poll for the betterment of humanity? Rhetorical question.

These morons will never change.

Their mindset is like this - I flew all over the world to spend my two week holiday on beach and some red flags will stop me from swimming? Dream on.

Oh just let them enjoy themselves. They clearly know more about the sea than the lifeguards.

Russians Indians and Israelies .

All the popular nationalities represented.

4 hours ago, NedR69 said:

These tourists probably didn't grow up or near an ocean.

It's not so much the waves or the surf, its what is under the surface down near your knees when standing - a strong under tow current that will knock you off balance and swept out to sea. They may try to swim back to the beach, but they don't get anywhere because of the current. If this happens, swim parallel to the beach for a short distance and then attempt swimming back to the beach. It helps to have a few brain cells too, when the red flag is up, do not enter the water.

Growing up with beautiful beaches only 3km away, I avoid the beach. It's nothing but sand and salt water. It gets on and inside everything and everywhere. But looks beautiful walking or riding on the boardwalk.

Indeed! Last year we were in Phuket (Maikhao) during this time and saw a few idiots running into the water (red flags) at the beach in front of the runway. The issue is the waves don't look that "big", but the angle under the wave is very steep so within a few metres you're suddenly neck deep then getting pulled in by the undercurrents.

Idiots, they may be. But if I saved up for years for a trip to a tropical beach, I'd be tempted to violate the red flags, too. Especially if it looks like they keep them up all the time, whether the conditions are good or bad. Lots of places just don't want the liability. In fact, I've seen masses of people swimming right under "No Swimming" signs that were put up just to absolve them of any liability.

The OP is pretty clear that they are understaffed. If Thailand wants to be considered a premium destination, they need to staff up and expect some idiots. Maybe keep some jetskis on the water patrolling where the idiots gather. That's all part of being a tourist economy. Or, at least it should be...

11 hours ago, Sir Dude said:

Morons... it's simple, see red flags flapping in the wind = don't swim, don't see red flags = can swin (esepcially in monsoon season with rough seas). Does it need to anymore simple or are you just trying to remove yourself from the gen poll for the betterment of humanity? Rhetorical question.

There is a time period on many days when green changes to red ( or yellow) nobody knows when this happens unless you are perhaps in the water suffering. I'll never forget my first trip to Australia went from Bondi to Coogee? Then Tamarama? I mean that sea at Tamarama was brutal! Flag was green. I'm a great swimmer got bashed around bloodied got out finally was breathing normally and the red flags came out.

22 hours ago, NedR69 said:

These tourists probably didn't grow up or near an ocean.

Yes that is a possibility, and the sea would look so tempting to them in the sunshine. Like the heatwaves in the UK have resulted in drowning deaths as kids go for a swim in a reservoir or rivers. Not as bad now, as there are droughts and they are near empty.

I guess in some countries 'red' might mean: Salvation through Socialism!