Body of Russian tourist found on Koh Larn beach

Koh Larn, Chon Buri:- The body of a Russian tourist was found on a beach of Koh Larn off Pattaya coast Tuesday, two days after he disappeared while snorkeling near the island, the Pattaya police chief said.

Pattaya police chief Pol Col Sukthat Pumpanmuang and Pol Lt Chorphaka Prueksachart, an interrogator of the Pattaya police station, as well as other officers rushed to the Samae beach in Ban Koh Lan village of Tambon Naklua in Chon Buri's Bang Lamung district at 10 am shortly after the police station was informed of the body.

The body was later identified as Roman Makarov, 47. He was wearing green swimming trunk. He was also wearing a snorkeling mask. Sukthat said the body did not show any sign that he had been attacked or harmed by others.

His Russian girlfriend told police that Makarov visited Pattaya with her and the two visited Koh Larn Saturday morning to do snorkeling to enjoy coral reefs.

Makarov went out to do snorkeling at a cape on the island in the afternoon and he disappeared.

Sukthat said the Russian man might suffer from a cramp or a sudden attack of his chronic disease, causing him to drown before his body was washed ashore.

His body was sent to the Police Hospital's Forensic Medicine Institute for an autopsy and the Russian embassy was informed of the incident.

Several drowning incidents at Koh Larn were reported this year. For example, a 71-year-old Chinese tourist drowned at the island on April 17. Then on May 5, another 73-year-old Chinese tourist drowned at the island.