Aussie Tourist Dies Of Heatstroke In Phuket

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Aussie tourist dies of heatstroke in Phuket

Phuket Gazette

The Australian tourist collapsed about 200 meters from Phuket’s Surin Beach (pictured). Photo: Gazette file

A synoptic chart of the weather situation at 7am today. Image: TMD

PHUKET: -- An Australian tourist found unconscious by the side of the road near Surin Beach has died from heatstroke, Phuket rescue workers have reported.

A Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organization rescue worker’s unit based at Layan Beach received a report at 2:39pm on Wednesday that a man had fainted by the road about 200 meters from Surin Beach.

When the rescue workers arrived the found a group of tourists trying to help the man, who was still breathing.

The rescue team rushed the man to Thalang Hospital, where medical staff performed CPR for two hours before doctors pronounced him dead.

The initial cause of death was given as cardiopulmonary failure, possibly brought on by heatstroke.

Thalang Police duty officer Lt Col Somkid Khaosang identified the deceased as 65-year-old Michael Lester. He was staying at a hotel at Surin Beach during his holiday in Phuket.

Relatives have been informed of his passing, a source in the Australian diplomatic mission in Thailand has confirmed.

The death comes as the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) predicts that Wednesday through today will be the hottest days of the year in Thailand.

Khao Phanom Hospital in Krabi has reported four heat-related deaths since April 13. The latest was identified at 47-year-old Paiboon Phanapitakul, who died of heart failure while working in a palm plantation in Khaodin subdistrict at 1am yesterday.

Temperatures across Northern Thailand today are again expected to climb past 40ºC, and the MET has issued a “Summer Thunderstorm” warning at 5am today.

A high pressure system from China is extending its ridge to cover the Northeast of Thailand and the South China Sea, while hot to very hot weather is likely over all of Thailand. This will cause summer thunderstorms – that is, thunderstorms with gusts and hail – in upper Thailand, especially in the North, the Northeast and the East, said the warning.

With a southwesterly wind prevailing over the Andaman Sea and Southern Thailand, scattered to fairly widespread thundershowers and isolated heavy rain is likely in Phuket and other west coast provinces, the warning added.

According to TMD records, temperatures at the two monitoring station in Phuket – one in Phuket Town, the other at Phuket Airport – have never surpassed 40ºC.

The maximum temperature ever recorded in Phuket since 1951 is 37.8ºC, last recorded in Phuket Town on May 11, 1998.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle12877.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-04-27

[pogal]

aussie-tourist-dies-of-heatstroke-in-phuket/

Another misleading headline: A heart attack "possibly" brought on my heatstroke...

(Phuket gazette)

Gotta admit though, in my 12 years here, this summer feels like the hottest!

[grumpyoldman]

Poor guy, comes for a holiday and it ends up being too hot...............RIP

[Riley'sLife]

This bad news should serve as a warning for many of us. I had never been used to drinking sufficient water and I seriously underestimated the body's need for re-hydration in the Tropics when I first moved here. Drinking beer, stimulant drinks, and even Colas can add to the problem of dehydration rather than help.

I now try to drink water throughout the day and have at least one sachet of re-hydration salts/sugars, especially if I am physically active. Heatstroke is a serious problem here, even for Thais. Keep hydrated guys!

[keestha]

RIP.

It might not have been heatstroke, but I have been worried seeing tourists over 40 jogging during the heat of the day.

[shaunoro]

Sad news.

In the 17 years i have been based in Bangkok this year seems to be the hotest.

I always try to drink at least 3 litres of water before thinking of having a beer or several.

[Semper]

This bad news should serve as a warning for many of us. I had never been used to drinking sufficient water and I seriously underestimated the body's need for re-hydration in the Tropics when I first moved here. Drinking beer, stimulant drinks, and even Colas can add to the problem of dehydration rather than help.

I now try to drink water throughout the day and have at least one sachet of re-hydration salts/sugars, especially if I am physically active. Heatstroke is a serious problem here, even for Thais. Keep hydrated guys!

" Drinking beer, can add to the problem of dehydration rather than help" Wonder how many would gamble on that?

Edited April 29, 2012 by Semper