Koh Chang: Chinese swimmers rescued off Sai Khao beach

Thai PBS is reporting that three Chinese tourists have been rescued off Koh Chang, near the Cambodian border off the coast, south of Pattaya.

Rescue workers saw the three of them caught by a rip current while swimming in the sea off Sai Khao beach on early this afternoon (Wednesday) in defiance of red flags along the beach.

One of the tourists, whose identity is not know was reported to be in a serious condition when he was rushed to an emergency clinic on the island. Subsequently he is said to be out of danger.

Employees of a hotel spotted the three tourists struggling in the sea as they appeared to be drowning and immediately alerted the Koh Chang district office for assistance.

Rescue workers from the Sawang Boonchuey Foundation rushed to the scene and managed to pull the three male tourists out of the water.

One of the rescuers says the three tourists were caught in a rip current and couldn’t swim back to shore. He suggests that if people are ever caught in a rip current, they should swim parallel to the beach, away from the rip . If they stay in the rip current they will continue to get dragged away from the beach.

Red flags were along the beach but were ignored by the three Chinese tourists.

SOURCE: Thai PBS