Construction worker drowns on northern Phuket Beach

PHUKET: Phuket’s surf claimed another life over the weekend when a construction worker from Sisaket province drowned at Nai Yang Beach.

Pech Pengjam, 40, had been relaxing on the beach and drinking with friends when he decided to take a swim, his friends told police yesterday.

“He went into the water still wearing his jeans, then disappeared from sight,” said Lt Thanom Thongpan.

His friends called to beach guards for help, and the guards found Mr Pech and pulled him out of the water within 10 minutes, Lt Thanom said.

By the time police and rescue workers arrived at about 10:30am, Mr Pech was lying unconscious on the beach receiving CPR from a lifeguard.

He was rushed to Thalang Hospital, where medical staff spent an hour trying to resuscitate him.

“Unfortunately, they couldn’t save him,” Lt Thanom said.

— Thawit Bilabdullar