Chinese tourist found dead after swimming at Karon Beach

A Chinese tourist who went missing after swimming at Karon Beach on Thursday night was found dead on the rocks near Freedom Beach in Mueang district. The body was discovered by a fisherman yesterday morning, July 29.

Police were alerted about the discovery around 9.30am, according to Khundet Na Nong Khai, chief of Karon police. Emergency responders who arrived at the scene found Qin Yuan’s body lying face-down on the rocks. It was subsequently taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Thai officials confirmed that the Chinese consular office in Phuket had been notified of the incident.

The 27 year old Qin was last seen around 7.30pm on Thursday. Karon mayor Jadet Wicharasor explained that a Chinese couple had rented a surfboard on Thursday evening and returned it around 6.30pm. They went swimming again at Karon Beach about an hour later. By then, it was dark and all the lifeguards had left the beach.

Rescuers initiated a search after Karon municipal officials were informed by the distressed woman about her missing husband. Teams from municipal and local authorities, police, and the 3rd Naval Fleet joined the search efforts, said a local official.

“We have done everything possible to ensure safety, but people need to heed the warnings.”

Despite safety measures, including no-swimming signs in four languages (Chinese, English, Russian, and Thai) and red flags along high-risk areas, many individuals disregarded the warnings.

The provincial office of the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that nine people, including five foreigners, have drowned in Phuket this year. This is despite the deployment of 115 lifeguards across the island’s beaches, reported Bangkok Post.

In related news, Thai netizens condemned two foreign tourists for kicking and running their luggage over a kitten, leading to its death in Soi Phayanak near Ratchathewi BTS Station in Bangkok. The tourists were widely assumed to be Chinese.