Body of missing swimmer washes up at Nai Harn

PHUKET: A Myanmar man who was reported missing at Nai Harn Beach yesterday, was found dead this afternoon, officials confirmed.

Joe Ye Bai, 22, reportedly went to Nai Harn with two of his friends and was washed away by waves at around 6:20pm, May 15. His body washed ashore on Nai Harn Beach at about 2:10pm today.

“The clothes on the body matched the description given by Mr Bai’s friends,” Rawai Mayor Aroon Solos told the Phuket Gazette.

“Yesterday, as soon as it was reported that Mr Bai was missing, I went to the beach myself,” said Mr Aroon. “The group of men work for Supercheap. Lifeguards took out jetskis to search for Mr Bai, but couldn’t find him.”

Nai Harn Chief Lifeguard Jula Nontree again warned tourists to only swim where yellow-red flags are placed.

“It was nearly dark and we called everyone to exit the water, but the men ignored the red flags and our warnings,” said Mr Jula.

“Waves suddenly carried him away and he’d been missing since then,” he said. “We still looked for him, but couldn’t find any trace. We are sorry for the family and friends of Mr Bai.”

“Our men are trained and experienced – we’ve saved a lot of people, even though they’ve ignored red flags. However, we cannot always save people from themselves,” Mr Jula said. “Please obey the flags and listen to lifeguards, otherwise you will be risking your life and the lives of others.”

— Chutharat Plerin