webfact Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 Two dead five injured high waves ChawengKOH SAMUI: -- Two Chinese tourists have died and two more have been injured in an incident on Chaweng Beach.The Samui Times have received information that they ignored red flag warnings.They survivors were rescued by jet ski. Police have been seen on the beach warning people not to swim in red flag areas. More information coming on this story as we get it.-- Samui Times 2015-12-30 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aachen Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 Same like the 2 Chinese with the Jet Ski incident this week. They insisted not to be accompanied or taught the handling etc.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George FmplesdaCosteedback Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 Red flag to the Chinese, they likely thought it was an invitation to "come in the water's lovely..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pdaz Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 The main-landers are very stubborn.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spermwhale Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 YOu have to wonder what kind of person would swim beyond the red flags in high waves if they are not strong swimmers. What were they trying to prove? They paid with their lives. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emster23 Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 Notice they were rescued by jet skis, not in jet ski crash. I stayed at that beach for a month in 84, no problems. No lifeguards (didn't expect them, either). We used common sense, which isn't all that common it seems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke000 Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 YOu have to wonder what kind of person would swim beyond the red flags in high waves if they are not strong swimmers. What were they trying to prove? They paid with their lives. Its quite often the undercurrent that catches people out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springheeled jack Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 obviously the Chinese don't understand red flags it would be advisable to have someone on the beach to explain in detail just what a red flag means preferably someone who speaks the language. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nobb Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 I hope the red flag is in Chinese so that they can clearly see the dangers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seedy Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 One Disgusting Post has been hidden People have died, leaving Loved Ones behind. Show some Compassion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seedy Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 Troll / Flaming / Insensitive - Post hidden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yahooka Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 A lot of chinese(and russian) tourist comes from areas far from the coast and as such has no concept of the potential dangers of the sea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangon04 Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 A red flag means "Lucky" in China , doesn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evadgib Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 The TV news report showed police actively discouraging people from getting into the water, with full flags, heavy waves, idiots in the water in the background. It also showed warning signs in the foreground therefore the authorities on this occasion cannot really be blamed. HTH Related link: Reminder re seasonal rip currents (01 Nov-31 Mar per annum) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bignose Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 While tragic accidents can happen anywhere and yes undercurrents and rips can catch you unaware, everyone can see when a swell has picked up and there are heavy waves pounding a shore line. Why they continue to swim in these conditions is beyond me, being stupid is no reason to lose your life but they did make a choice!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B166ER Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 ....one can only do so much.....if they can't understand at least a bit of some international (English) language when they travel or carry an Electronic interpreter even if it's a Chinese made copy ( carried an Electronic interpreter for years. Had seven languages on it) What else can you do. I used mine all through Asia and it was fantastic in all situations....even at the Bar! If I went to China you bet your ass I have one too....hey come to think of it.....most phone apps have them today. So you see a Red Flag on a Beach.....Hmmmm.....wonder what that means.....well I'll use my phone app that'll translate it and find out. I'm happy they did not take some rescue worker with them to Davey Jones Locker just because of their stubbornness.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trogers Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 A red flag means "Lucky" in China , doesn't it? The color red is considered auspicious. But the red flag is a celebration of Communism. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Docno Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 A red flag is not going to mean much if you're used to seeing this: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sambum Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 YOu have to wonder what kind of person would swim beyond the red flags in high waves if they are not strong swimmers. What were they trying to prove? They paid with their lives. Its quite often the undercurrent that catches people out Seems a bit of an obvious comment but you are so right - and the red flags aren't put there for no reason. And it's not just Thailand where people pay with their lives for ignoring an internationally accepted warning sign. I was in Crete (Greek island) many years ago when two people lost their lives in similar circumstances. The hotel disco was closed that night as a mark of respect, but the barman got it right when he said " Why do people ignore the red flags? They must be stupid, but now they are dead stupid." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Absolut Posted December 30, 2015 Share Posted December 30, 2015 obviously the Chinese don't understand red flags it would be advisable to have someone on the beach to explain in detail just what a red flag means preferably someone who speaks the language. Chaweng Beach is a pretty long beach, the vast majority of it is lined with hotels (a few bars occupy the other space), it would be near impossible to have someone cover the whole beach explaining what a red flag is for. Many hotels do however do this, written on the information sheets that are in the vast majority of hotel rooms as well as the staff in the hotels. The red flags sit on poles on the beach, and when the sea is churning like it does at this time of year, only a very small amount of common sense is needed to see it's not safe for swimming. Many people from cold climate and inland areas are determined to swim in the warm tropical waters, no matter how dangerous it looks and sadly no amount of warning is going to stop them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lvr181 Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 While tragic accidents can happen anywhere and yes undercurrents and rips can catch you unaware, everyone can see when a swell has picked up and there are heavy waves pounding a shore line. Why they continue to swim in these conditions is beyond me, being stupid is no reason to lose your life but they did make a choice!!! Yup, "stupid is as stupid does" comes to mind. Tourists sleep somewhere. Perhaps accommodation premises should be made to display (prominently) beach use warnings in the major languages, Spanish, English, Mandarin, plus Japanese and Korean. At least give the visitors a chance to stay alive in the water. No more mai pen rai. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithathome Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 Darwin rules.(or is that Darwinian rules ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyoldman Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 Darwin rules.(or is that Darwinian rules ) Wow, and I thought the Phuket Forum had some cold, old salty fools, but many of you are taking the cake here. Horrible that these people went on holiday and lost their lives. RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PoorSucker Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 Darwin rules.(or is that Darwinian rules )Wow, and I thought the Phuket Forum had some cold, old salty fools, but many of you are taking the cake here. Most ignorant people on this thread are mainlanders.Only one post by local Samuian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plum77 Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 I am shocked at the way some forum topics go, seems to get very nasty very quickly. Some people are only looking for sound advice not a character assisination. But whatever makes you happy I suppose. Having a go when people have died is incredible especially at this time of year. Happy New Year TVF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke000 Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 I am shocked at the way some forum topics go, seems to get very nasty very quickly. Some people are only looking for sound advice not a character assisination. But whatever makes you happy I suppose. Having a go when people have died is incredible especially at this time of year. Happy New Year TVF Its very common, its the usual for Thai related forums . Retired ex pats tend to take much pleasure from others misfortune . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mudcrab Posted December 31, 2015 Share Posted December 31, 2015 Darwin rules.(or is that Darwinian rules )Wow, and I thought the Phuket Forum had some cold, old salty fools, but many of you are taking the cake here. Most ignorant people on this thread are mainlanders.Only one post by local Samuian Mainlanders? Bit parochial? How long must one reside on Samui to be regarded as a local...30 years, 40, 50 or be born there? Or just retire from some cold European country and claim "ownership" simply by being there longer than the other self styled "expats"? Sorry I couldn't let this one pass without comment...I can just imagine the poster saying in a Yorkshire accent..."eeee lad we don't wan your sort in these parts..away wi ye... ye not a local" I remember many years ago hearing a Pommy site union shop steward in Western Australia lecturing people from the Eastern States in Australia about "he didn't wan't you people coming here taking our local lads jobs". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke000 Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 I remember many years ago hearing a Pommy site union shop steward in Western Australia lecturing people from the Eastern States in Australia about "he didn't wan't you people coming here taking our local lads jobs". Well, thanks for sharing that memory . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennis123 Posted January 2, 2016 Share Posted January 2, 2016 I was in Koh Samui about 18 years ago and at the beach in Lamai it only takes about 5-10 meter before you're in deep water opposed to hundreds of meters at a place like Jomtien. At that time I hardly made it back to shore, you see some waves but not that high but than while you're swimming it all of a sudden gets worse. Frightning experience so I definitely learned my lesson. Back than there were no flags at all or I haven't noticed them but you can ugly mistake yourself on the sea. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gk10002000 Posted January 2, 2016 Share Posted January 2, 2016 I think also that people "remember" when they were good swimmers, but forget they are not currently strong swimmers. Like me, they may have been on swim teams back in their teens, or in high school or even college. But most people don't swim regularly and most of us are not in the same physical shape we were years ago. I am now pushing 59. While in the past I trained at the All American level, I know I am NOT currently a strong swimmer. I can't swim 20, 50 meter laps and be fresh and ready to go again. I can't swim the mile swim as I did when I was 17 and in the Boy Scouts Mile swim. I can't do a sprint, catch my breath for 30 seconds and go again. Just not in shape. I still remember my survival swimming skills and how and when to not fight currents, how to float, conserve energy etc, so I am pretty confident or at least hopeful I can survive in the open water for quite a while until help arrived. But I am not going to purposely go into dangerous conditions or try to swim across a bay! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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