A foreign tourist was rescued from heavy seas at Patong Beach, Phuket, after ignoring red flags and lifeguards' whistles, saying he was a strong swimmer.

The rescue took place on the evening of 20 August at the popular beach in Kathu district. The tourist was brought safely back to shore after waves and currents swept him out and he was unable to return by himself.

Rescue team battled through rough surf

Lifeguards used a jet ski and a yellow rescue board to reach the tourist in the rough conditions. Red flags were flying along the beach, indicating that swimming was prohibited because of the danger from strong waves and currents.

Despite this, the tourist entered the sea and dismissed the warnings. His confidence quickly turned into trouble when he lost control in the surf and was carried away from the shore.

At the time, many visitors were still walking, taking photographs and relaxing on the beach. Some lifeguards were also clearing the area and packing away equipment after their shift had ended, although red flags remained in place along the beachfront.

For foreign visitors and residents, the incident is a timely reminder that beach warning flags in Thailand are not simply advisory. A red flag means visitors should stay out of the water altogether, regardless of swimming ability or how calm the sea may appear from the shore.

Lifeguards say warnings are ignored daily

Thanphisit Saengrat, known as "Faem", a lifeguard stationed near Bangla Beach, said he has worked on safety at Patong Beach for almost three years and encounters tourists ignoring warnings almost every day.

He said there had already been two similar cases that day. Some visitors did not understand why they could not enter the water when red flags were clearly displayed and lifeguards were repeatedly signalling them to stay out.

"Some people only want to swim and do not pay attention to warnings," he said. "Sometimes tourists who are intoxicated also enter the water, which increases the risk."

Patong Beach is about three kilometres long and has around 10 operational points, each staffed by roughly three or four lifeguards. Thanphisit said there had been two drowning cases in the past month in the Bangla Beach area alone, with another team providing safety cover at night.

Pictures courtesy of Amarin

Strong swimmers can still be caught out

Lifeguards said their most serious calls involve people who are exhausted or have disappeared beneath the water. Teams must take rescue equipment and jet skis out immediately, then bring casualties ashore for CPR if necessary. All staff have basic resuscitation training.

Thanphisit warned visitors not to assume that being a capable swimmer will keep them safe. Alongside surface waves, Patong can experience rip currents that pull people rapidly away from the beach.

"Do not think that because you can swim well, you will survive," he said, urging tourists to treat a red flag as the highest-level warning and not enter the sea.

Video courtesy of Phuketinsta

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22 August 2026

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These idiots should at least be fined or have their trunks confiscated!

Most of these people getting into trouble are Russians and Northern Euros. Like this guy in photo , maybe first time in waves. Those conditions would not be a problem for an average ocean swimmer. And again always wear fins swimming in Phuket. There are some strong currents from waves and including tidal currents that are actually more dangerous than textbooks rips.

Regardless of their swimming abilities, idiots who ignore red flag warnings endanger both themselves and rescue personnel!

The only way to deter this foolhardy behavior is for authorities to treat these warnings as strict, legally binding laws (not optional suggestions).

54 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

These idiots should at least be fined or have their trunks confiscated!

Ya no from the pics of him please do not take his trunks

1 hour ago, Point Arguello said:

Those conditions would not be a problem for an average ocean swimmer

Did you read the article?

Very brave to put their own lives in danger to save a stupid tourist.

But they seem to have snatched the Darwin Awards from their hands.

Why do Lifeguards hate Evolution 😃

16 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

Did you read the article?

Yes wiseguy. But more revalently I evaluated the conditions from images .And being a native coastal Californian with years of ocean swimming bodysurfing i am qualified to make that comment , without reading what someone said. However the red flags should be enforced. Especially for the demographic there. Note : have not heard of any California's or Australians in the news there. Any more questions

2 hours ago, blaze master said:

Ya no from the pics of him please do not take his trunks

Whith the big fat gut that this bloke's got he should have just floated back to shore like a cork.

Just start putting up signs that anyone entering the sea during Red flags will be fined 5,000 baht. Very ignorant and selfish people.

7 minutes ago, jcmj said:

Just start putting up signs that anyone entering the sea during Red flags will be fined 5,000 baht. Very ignorant and selfish people.

Yes and it's dangerous for the smallish Thai life guards to rescue a big heavy person. Since if that big person put the much smaller lifeguard in a panic bear hug ...

Can anyone explain to me why people should risk their own life to save anyone who deliberately and selfishly ignores danger signs? And why is the fine only 5000 baht for endangering the life of others? That's small change to a foreigner.

4 hours ago, SiSePuede419 said:

Very brave to put their own lives in danger to save a stupid tourist.

Nobody risked his life to save anybody! Those waves in the video were barely surfable and posed no threat to the lifeguards.

6 hours ago, Point Arguello said:

And again always wear fins swimming in Phuket.

And given rough sea conditions a "boogie" board to get through surf.

9 hours ago, Point Arguello said:

Most of these people getting into trouble are Russians and Northern Euros. Like this guy in photo , maybe first time in waves. Those conditions would not be a problem for an average ocean swimmer. And again always wear fins swimming in Phuket. There are some strong currents from waves and including tidal currents that are actually more dangerous than textbooks rips.

Did you read this part of the article?

“Thanphisit warned visitors not to assume that being a capable swimmer will keep them safe. Alongside surface waves, Patong can experience rip currents that pull people rapidly away from the beach.

"Do not think that because you can swim well, you will survive," he said, urging tourists to treat a red flag as the highest-level warning and not enter the sea.”

So much for your statement :

“Like this guy in photo , maybe first time in waves. Those conditions would not be a problem for an average ocean swimmer.”

Sounds like you may be part of the problem.

2 hours ago, oslooskar said:

Nobody risked his life to save anybody! Those waves in the video were barely surfable and posed no threat to the lifeguards.

And the rip currents referenced in the article? What about those? Also no threat?

7 hours ago, mfd101 said:

Did you read the article?

He did. But thinks the rules don’t apply to him because he’s a Superman swimmer and so everything the life guard says doesn’t apply to him.

After all, he has a certificate. Did 40 hours training. Which year it was done isn’t known because the date is conveniently redacted, so probably quite a number of years ago.

But he still knows enough to confidently say that the life guard doesn’t know what he’s talking about. I paraphrase somewhat.

1 hour ago, wensiensheng said:

Did you read this part of the article?

“Thanphisit warned visitors not to assume that being a capable swimmer will keep them safe. Alongside surface waves, Patong can experience rip currents that pull people rapidly away from the beach.

"Do not think that because you can swim well, you will survive," he said, urging tourists to treat a red flag as the highest-level warning and not enter the sea.”

So much for your statement :

“Like this guy in photo , maybe first time in waves. Those conditions would not be a problem for an average ocean swimmer.”

Sounds like you may be part of the problem.

Yes I read the article and yes rips can certainly be dangerous for sure. However riptides are proportional to the waves . And again from the actual conditions at the time of incident as shown. These conditions would not be a problem for an average ocean swimmer , that this guy is not. So the problem here Hoss, are people who who read an article and conflate actual dangerous conditions with mild conditions. As shown in op .Then they use this strawman as evidence that they are more knowledgeable than those with extensive ocean swimming experience

31 minutes ago, Point Arguello said:

Yes I read the article and yes rips can certainly be dangerous for sure. However riptides are proportional to the waves . And again from the actual conditions at the time of incident as shown. These conditions would not be a problem for an average ocean swimmer , that this guy is not. So the problem here Hoss, are people who who read an article and conflate actual dangerous conditions with mild conditions. As shown in op .Then they use this strawman as evidence that they are more knowledgeable than those with extensive ocean swimming experience

Well the devil is in the details:

1. You back your judgement derived via a snapshot, over the judgement of the professional lifeguard(s) on duty at the time who had presumably spent some time assessing the actual conditions.

2. define “ average ocean swimmer”.

3. How does one know if one meets whatever definition you come up with in 2 above.

4. Assuming one decides that one meets the required definition of average ocean swimmer, any thoughts on whether the fact that if Mr AOS is in the sea, it might encourage others to think, well if he’s doing it , must be ok for me. Except the others might be Mr/Mrs below average swimmer.

What’s so hard about not swimming when red flags fly? It seems so simple.

Tourists do stupid things.

But the level of stupidity of tourists in thailand is next level.

1 hour ago, wensiensheng said:

Well the devil is in the details:

1. You back your judgement derived via a snapshot, over the judgement of the professional lifeguard(s) on duty at the time who had presumably spent some time assessing the actual conditions.

2. define “ average ocean swimmer”.

3. How does one know if one meets whatever definition you come up with in 2 above.

4. Assuming one decides that one meets the required definition of average ocean swimmer, any thoughts on whether the fact that if Mr AOS is in the sea, it might encourage others to think, well if he’s doing it , must be ok for me. Except the others might be Mr/Mrs below average swimmer.

What’s so hard about not swimming when red flags fly? It seems so simple.

A snapshot ?? There was a video ! And if you can read one of my above posts : I said the red flags should be enforced.. Do you realize how much you are distorting the facts. And this communication is a fools errand. Adios..*** And especially with the likewise oblivious fan followers you have

Edited August 22Aug 22 by Point Arguello

5 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

And the rip currents referenced in the article? What about those? Also no threat?

No, none whatsoever! You had two lifeguards present, one on a surfboard and the other on a jet ski. So there was absolutely no risk to their lives. And YES, I know all about rescuing swimmers from treacherous waters and did it professionally for at least fifteen years.

I've surfed on 7 continents, 10 foot plus Uluwatu, Blacks San Diego and looking there it is just not that rough. The guy just saying he is a competent swimmer, he's an idiot. Drunk probably.

That being said, going bodysurfing at Nai Harn Beach low season 2014, 5ft swells or so, red flags, lifeguards were yelling at me to stay out of the water. "You die" they were yelling. I waved them off (see what I did there 😊) swam out got a few barrels, all good.

Once I got in and was hanging on the beach I realized I did those lifeguards a real disservice by ignoring the red flags. Others see me get in and out no problem, don't understand my level of competency and consider going in themselves. Never did that again.

Post breaking forum rules removed. @Point Arguello the post you referenced is discussing the OP and you are not referenced in any way. So it is you that is trolling.

15 hours ago, oslooskar said:

No, none whatsoever! You had two lifeguards present, one on a surfboard and the other on a jet ski. So there was absolutely no risk to their lives. And YES, I know all about rescuing swimmers from treacherous waters and did it professionally for at least fifteen years.

So your conclusion is that the lifeguards wasted their time putting out red flags, gave irrelevant warnings and everyone can go in the sea if they want because there was absolutely no risk.

Interestingly you state:

15 hours ago, oslooskar said:

And YES, I know all about rescuing swimmers from treacherous waters and did it professionally for at least fifteen years.

Did you ever think that if some of those people you had to rescue had followed the instructions of life guards putting out red flags, they wouldn’t have needed to be rescued?

I also wonder if you have read about how many people have died this year in Phuket due to sea conditions. I mean, those stats must point to the dangers that exist. And yet you seem to blithely wipe off the need to obey red flags and the dangers that exist.

12 hours ago, Priorexpat said:

I've surfed on 7 continents, 10 foot plus Uluwatu, Blacks San Diego and looking there it is just not that rough. The guy just saying he is a competent swimmer, he's an idiot. Drunk probably.

That being said, going bodysurfing at Nai Harn Beach low season 2014, 5ft swells or so, red flags, lifeguards were yelling at me to stay out of the water. "You die" they were yelling. I waved them off (see what I did there 😊) swam out got a few barrels, all good.

Once I got in and was hanging on the beach I realized I did those lifeguards a real disservice by ignoring the red flags. Others see me get in and out no problem, don't understand my level of competency and consider going in themselves. Never did that again.

Exactly. The red flags are there to protect the general public. Swimming whilst they fly sets a very bad example at best, and at worst the life guards have to rescue you.

17 hours ago, Point Arguello said:

A snapshot ?? There was a video ! And if you can read one of my above posts : I said the red flags should be enforced.. Do you realize how much you are distorting the facts. And this communication is a fools errand. Adios..*** And especially with the likewise oblivious fan followers you have

Ahh right. That short video makes all the difference for you to assess sea conditions that whole day.

The funny thing is, I’ve just read through your posts and there is a single sentence where you say that red flags should be obeyed. The rest of your posts focus on the “mild conditions” thereby insinuating that the red flags have been erroneously flown, and that there was no danger on the beach that day, once again insinuating that the red flags are being erroneously flown. All of which is hilarious given that an actual person was actually rescued on that very day, hence the article. So, no danger you say….to the “average ocean swimmer”, a phrase yet to be defined as it currently exists only in your mind.

You do say:

“So the problem here Hoss, are people who who read an article and conflate actual dangerous conditions with mild conditions. As shown in op .”

Mild conditions according to you. So why were there red flags flying? And if there is a difference of opinion between you and the life guards, whose opinion should prevail?

I doubt that you will answer that question any more than you answered the questions I put to you in my previous post.

Edited August 23Aug 23 by wensiensheng

If someone gets in trouble in these conditions with red flag. That tells you more about that person than the flag tells about the conditions .

However the last photo of three is a more accurate red flag day

Edited August 23Aug 23 by Point Arguello

2 hours ago, wensiensheng said:

So your conclusion is that the lifeguards wasted their time putting out red flags, gave irrelevant warnings and everyone can go in the sea if they want because there was absolutely no risk.

Interestingly you state:

Did you ever think that if some of those people you had to rescue had followed the instructions of life guards putting out red flags, they wouldn’t have needed to be rescued?

I also wonder if you have read about how many people have died this year in Phuket due to sea conditions. I mean, those stats must point to the dangers that exist. And yet you seem to blithely wipe off the need to obey red flags and the dangers that exist.

Now you're being intellectually dishonest because you know very well from my original comment, "Nobody risked his life to save anybody! Those waves in the video were barely surfable and posed no threat to the lifeguards", that I was referring only to the lifeguards, not to the swimmers being rescued.

On 8/22/2026 at 6:08 AM, jacko45k said:

These idiots should at least be fined or have their trunks confiscated!

Exactly the way I'm thinking, If not why not, Heavily fined for ignoring the warning signs, causing danger to other people,