Phuket Surf Claims Two More Victims

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Phuket surf claims two more victims

Phuket Ruamjai Kupai workers transport the remains of the late

Mr Kittisak to hospital.

The passport photo of the late Dmitriy Kuznetsov.

PHUKET: -- Friends and relatives watched in horror as Thai construction worker Kittisak Thongtirat was swamped by a big wave then disappeared in rough surf at Karon Beach on Monday.

He was one of two people who drowned at the popular beach that afternoon.

Duty officer Nitikorn Rawang of Chalong Police said Mr Kittisak, 25, went swimming near the Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket, where he was working.

“His friends and relatives warned him and tried to stop him entering the rough surf while wearing jeans, but he wouldn’t listen,” said Lt Nitikorn.

“People nearby and friends rushed to help him, but nobody could do anything,” he added.

One man trying to help was caught in a rip current and was dragged out to sea. Lifeguards were forced to launch a jet-ski to safely recover him, Lt Nitikorn said.

Lifeguards, local businesspeople and even the Navy joined the search, but it was not until Tuesday afternoon that Mr Kittisak’s body was found about 100 meters offshore, two kilometers from where he was last seen.

Also on Monday, 40-year-old Russian tourist Dmitriy Kuznetsov succumbed to the wild waves at Karon while his wife and child were sitting on the beach.

Mr Kuznetsov arrived on vacation with his family on October 27, staying at the Karon Sea Sand Hotel.

Witnesses told the Gazette that Mr Kuznetsov entered the surf in a no-swimming zone in front of the hotel marked by red flags.

Lifeguards said they warned him not to enter the surf.

When he reached chest-high water, he was lost to the waves almost immediately. One witness, a taxi driver, said, “It seemed like he started calling for help seconds before he disappeared under the water.”

Beach guards rushed and pulled him from the surf, but the damage was done.

Mr Kuznetsov was pronounced dead on arrival at Patong Hospital.

His family had to fly home on Tuesday with their tour group.

Mr Kuznetsov’s body remains at the hospital.

Diplomatic staff are assisting in organizing funeral arrangements.

-- Phuket Gazette 2010-11-11

[FarangBuddha]

Requiescat pace.

A reminder to all to head any posted warnings about dangerous surf conditions when swimming anywhere in the world. No matter how good/strong a swimmer you may be, you stand no chance against a rip-tide...it will take you down and out to sea in no time. The beaches on the west coast of Phuket are notorious for them during the monsoon season (now). If caught in one, don't fight it but "go with it" as the tide will substantially weaken a few hundred meters off shore and then swim parallel to the shore for a bit and then back to the beach.

PS: If wearing clothes like many Thai swimmers, immediately shed ALL of them as they will weigh you down and inhibit your efforts to swim and stay afloat.

Edited November 11, 2010 by FarangBuddha

[Jimi007]

Requiescat pace.

A reminder to all to head any posted warnings about dangerous surf conditions when swimming anywhere in the world. No matter how good/strong a swimmer you may be, you stand no chance against a rip-tide...it will take you down and out to sea in no time. The beaches on the west coast of Phuket are notorious for them during the monsoon season (now). If caught in one, don't fight it but "go with it" as the tide will substantially weaken a few hundred meters off shore and then swim parallel to the shore for a bit and then back to the beach.

PS: If wearing clothes like many Thai swimmers, immediately shed ALL of them as they will weigh you down and inhibit your efforts to swim and stay afloat.

I agree with you, heed the warnings. Many that have not have paid the ultimate price, as in the case of these two. I don't know for sure, but I doubt either one of these people grew up around the ocean or knew the dangers involved. I also doubt they were strong swimmers. You are correct the rip current dissipates in deeper water, then swim with the prevailing current parallel to the beach then into shore. But, if the lifeguards had warned the Russian, why didn't they keep their eye on him? The lifeguards here seem to be under trained and not very strong swimmers themselves. I guess farangs couldn't get a work permit even as a volunteer to help or train the locals. I never see the locals train or workout swimming. I did see one the other doing a short paddle on a paddle board though... How is a 50 KG Thai going to rescue a 90 KG westerner? All they can say is we warned him?

Edited November 11, 2010 by Jimi007

[ScubaBuddha]

Sadly I have been expecting to see this and frankly I am surprised that we have not seen more drownings as the surf has been rough and the beaches more crowded. I never thought I would say this, but I credit the lifeguards for the decreased number of drownings. Often now I am working on Karon Beach and I have to say I am fairly impressed with the activities of the lifeguards of late. They get the red flags out and even change them to yellow when the surf calms. I watch them do several rescues a day, and they are not shy about jumping in after someone. What is shocking to me is the amount of people I see getting themselves into trouble. Seems to be a lot of people with no sense about them, no understanding or respect of the oceans power. The other week I had to tend to a Russian who dislocated his shoulder in the surf in front of our dive shop. A couple days ago I actually saw a woman holding a baby in waist deep water on a red flag day. I just don't understand it.