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

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12 August 2026

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A good start maybe?