Alarm in Thailand’s Phuket after tourist deaths on beaches

The recent deaths of four tourists in less than a week on Phuket beaches are raising alarm and calls for stricter safety measures as strong monsoon currents, lack of lifeguards and venomous sea slugs threaten swimmers on the Thai island.

All of the deaths happened over three days. On Wednesday, a 68-year-old Swedish man collapsed on Kata Beach while wading out of shallow water and could not be revived by lifeguards, the Thai Examiner news website reported.

Two days later, the body of a 28-year-old American man washed ashore on Patong Beach. Police have sent both bodies for autopsies to determine the cause of death.

A third man, a 35-year-old Russian, drowned early on Thursday while on a midnight swim between Banana Beach and Nai Thon Beach, Khaosod newspaper reported. According to his 24-year-old girlfriend, they had entered the sea around 12.30am when large waves suddenly struck. He managed to push her towards the shore but was swallowed by the waves.

Hours later, again on Kata Beach, bystanders had to rescue two men who were struggling in the water as there were no lifeguards around. One was saved but the other died.

A 10-year-old Canadian girl was swept away while swimming with her family on the same beach earlier in the month when, despite strong waves, no red warning flags had been posted.