Chinese tourist drowns at Karon beach

A Chinese tourist who ignored the red flags and warnings from lifeguards earlier, has drowned at Karon Beach today (June 28).

Karon lifeguards were notified by a beach vendor that a Chinese male had been hit by a big wave in front of the Karon football field, and disappeared in the surf.

Karon lifeguards rushed to the scene where red flags had been being placed earlier. A tourist observing the scene rushed in to help bring the man to shore.

He was unconscious and taken straight to the Emergency Department at the Chalong Hospital but was pronounced dead.

The male Chinese tourist has been identified as 25 year old Wang Shan from Yunnan. Friends of Mr Wang say they were travelling with four others and had been staying in Patong. Mr Wang went swimming alone while the other stayed on the beach.

A beach vendor told police that lifeguards had already warned the group not to go into the water as there were red flags along the beach but Mr Wang ignored the warnings.