Indian tourist drowns at Surin Beach despite red flag warning

A 27 year old Indian tourist drowned at Surin Beach after getting entangled in a rip current during an early morning swim with friends yesterday, July 24.

A red flag, indicating dangerous water conditions, was posted on Surin Beach. Despite this warning, the Indian tourist, Kapoor Manav and his friends ventured into the sea. Thalang Police Station received notification at 9.40am from Thalang Hospital that a tourist had drowned and later died at the hospital.

Police Captain Kraisorn Bunprasop, the investigator on duty, confirmed the victim’s identity upon arriving at the hospital. Manav, who had checked into a local hotel last Sunday, July 21, had gone swimming with four friends when the incident occurred.

Hotel staff were alerted to the emergency at 6.45am when Manav and one of his friends were caught in the rip current. While the other friends managed to swim to nearby rocks and reach safety, Manav was found face down in the water.

Upon being brought back to the beach, it was evident that Manav had no pulse. Emergency services administered CPR and rushed him to Thalang Hospital. Despite continued efforts by paramedics and hospital doctors, Manav was pronounced dead at 8.54am.

The Indian Embassy in Bangkok has been informed of the incident, and Manav’s body is being held at Thalang Hospital, reported Phuket News.

In related news, a Belgian man drowned after ignoring a red flag warning on Freedom Beach in Phuket. Thai netizens’ opinions were divided. Some expressed condolences to his family, while others condemned him for being reckless and causing trouble to rescuers.

According to a Phuket Times report on June 22, two accidents were reported on Kata and Freedom beaches. In the first incident, two victims got into trouble in the sea after violating the warning sign on Kata Beach but lifeguards managed to help them safely.