Iranian tourist drowns off Patong after ignoring no-swimming red flags

[Lite Beer]

Iranian tourist drowns off Patong after ignoring no-swimming red flags
Eakkapop Thongtub

Photo: Phuket Warning Friends Line Group

PHUKET: A 30-year-old Iranian national was pronounced dead yesterday evening (July 4) while be transported to Patong Hospital, after his unconscious body was retrieved from rough waters in Patong Bay.

Witnesses said that the drowning victim Mr Hasan Fhakhr was among a group of carefree tourists who ignored red flags posted on the beach, near Bangla Road, and opted on swimming amongst two-meter waves.

One of those waves honed in on the group of tourists beforing pulling Mr Hasan Fhakhr further out into the bay.

By the time he could be retrieved, he was already unconscious. Standersby and lifeguards attempted to revive the victim with CPR while waiting for emergency transport, which arrived moments later.

But, finally all efforts were to no avail as the victim was finally pronounced dead en route to hospital. An autopsy is being conducted while authorities attempt to notify the Iranian Embassy.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/iranian-tourist-drowns-off-patong-after-ignoring-no-swimming-red-flags-53066.php

-- Phuket News 2015-07-05

[madmitch]

Why can't I see a single lifeguard in the photo? Maybe taking the picture?

[Greer]

Sad to hear, but unfortunately the sea is unforgiving. The red flags are there for a reason.

Condolences to his family and friends.

[sweatalot]

Why can't I see a single lifeguard in the photo? Maybe taking the picture?

I'm wondering, too

Only farang doing the work of lifeguards

or are they the lifeguards?

[arfurcrown]

Poseidon has no mercy for those who ignore the warnings regarding his domain and its actions and the consequences of ignoring those warnings.

R.I..P.

[Valentine]

The last time I drove along the beachfront in Patong not a single lifeguard was manning one of the towers so when they just huddle around at ground level, right at the back of the beach, then their view is restricted.

[fester the benevolent]

The red flags are there for a reason.

Yeah, to conveniently absolve the life-guards of any accusations of inattentiveness whenever somebody drowns on a stretch of beach they are supposed to be monitoring.

Why can't I see a single lifeguard in the photo? Maybe taking the picture?

Updating his status page to "lol, y'll nvr guess wht jst happ! brb!!"

[rhinoboy]

The sea at Phuket drops of very deep water quickly and there is a strong upwelling making it very dangerous for swimming during windy conditions. Its easy to get pulle dout to sea.

[stevenl]

Why can't I see a single lifeguard in the photo? Maybe taking the picture?

Maybe because they were looking after the jetski they had used to get the man back to shore?

[grumpyoldman]

The sea at Phuket drops of very deep water quickly and there is a strong upwelling making it very dangerous for swimming during windy conditions. Its easy to get pulle dout to sea.

More to do with quickly shifting sand bottoms, but you are correct rhinoboy, the undercurrent can get very nasty. Was in the water at Nai Harn yesterday and spoke to the lifeguards about the pull, it was wicked. Advised them not to let non-water people get past waist deep.

RIP to the Iranian guy, condolences to family and friends, horrible accident.

Reason for edit:typing flounder!

Edited July 5, 2015 by grumpyoldman

[Metapod]

im always amazed that beach education isn't more far spread, specially when so many people who live in non-beach areas holiday at the beach and put themselves in really bad positions.

i spent most of my life growing up in a surf town and the amount of times i had to explain what a rip was to a tourist visiting blew me mind. there needs to be much better awareness.

[anfh]

It never ceases to amaze me, the number of people who ignore the red flags, they are spaced out every 100yds along the beach, but so many people ignore them. They are actually there for good reason at Patong.

As far as lifeguards are concerned, I didn't think they are around in low season .

[Mudcrab]

im always amazed that beach education isn't more far spread, specially when so many people who live in non-beach areas holiday at the beach and put themselves in really bad positions.

i spent most of my life growing up in a surf town and the amount of times i had to explain what a rip was to a tourist visiting blew me mind. there needs to be much better awareness.

Yeah mate agree....Iran is well known for its Iron Man series competitions.

Red flags may not mean the same to all nationalities. Perhaps there should be focus at the hotel/resort where the tourists are staying on beach/water safety.

[jackanapes]

they ignored the warnings when a red flag is shown it means it is dangerous to swim they just ignored the warnings stupid people .

[NickJ]

And then....... You have food vendors removing the signs warning of rips as they scare off tourists.......Saw an expose on Thai TV.

[mrdome]

Kudos to those who tried to save him.

Don't overestimate yourself with the elements here or anywhere else.

[up-country_sinclair]

We should keep in mind the possibility that the poor guy didn't know what the red flags meant. Condolences to his friends and family.

[hawthorne]

Not that I am any expert in water sports but I did live within a mile of the ocean while my neighborhood backed up to a river, the Wando River. In South Carolina we did not use the Red Flag danger symbol. We did however have large signs that warned of dangerous currents and do not swim areas especially at the mouth of the river meeting the ocean.

I have been to several beaches in Thailand and never seen the red flags. Therefore I am not sure I would have known the Universal Danger Sign therefore maybe an explanation for such should be posted in several languages. I have been caught in many rip tides while living at the beach and they are very manageable but dangerous to an unsuspecting beach goer that rarely swims in the ocean. The Persian Gulf is void of rip currents in most of my experiences living in KSA, Iraq and UAE.

RIP.

[ksamuiguy]

The indomitable "Male Eggo" claims another victim.

[stevenl]

Not that I am any expert in water sports but I did live within a mile of the ocean while my neighborhood backed up to a river, the Wando River. In South Carolina we did not use the Red Flag danger symbol. We did however have large signs that warned of dangerous currents and do not swim areas especially at the mouth of the river meeting the ocean.

I have been to several beaches in Thailand and never seen the red flags. Therefore I am not sure I would have known the Universal Danger Sign therefore maybe an explanation for such should be posted in several languages. I have been caught in many rip tides while living at the beach and they are very manageable but dangerous to an unsuspecting beach goer that rarely swims in the ocean. The Persian Gulf is void of rip currents in most of my experiences living in KSA, Iraq and UAE.

RIP.

There are big warning signs in many languages.

[nottocus]

Them farang doing CPR gonna get busted now for working without a work permit.

[stevenl]

Them farang doing CPR gonna get busted now for working without a work permit.

I hope your other posts on TV are of higher quality than this one.

[DLang]

Perhaps the city could train all the food vendors in CPR.

Or would the lifeguards then get in a hissy-fit and blockade a road.

[nottocus]

Them farang doing CPR gonna get busted now for working without a work permit.

I hope your other posts on TV are of higher quality than this one.

nah mate…they are actually far worse.

[Rimmer]

Them farang doing CPR gonna get busted now for working without a work permit.

I hope your other posts on TV are of higher quality than this one.

nah mate…they are actually far worse.

Yes, the off topic one liners have not gone unnoticed