Foul weather stalls search for missing Phuket tourist

PHUKET: Bad weather today hampered the search for a Chinese tourist who disappeared under large waves at Karon Beach yesterday evening.

Rescue parties, including lifeguards from Karon Beach and the Royal Thai Navy, could only safely search for the 27-year-old tourist, named as ‘Mr Ruging Lin’, from 3pm to 5pm today, said Karon Municipality Sea Rescue Center Chief Supachai Junphet.

“We tried to resume the search this morning but weather was so rough we had to delay the search until this afternoon,” he said.

“However, we had to call off the search at 5pm because the weather was deteriorating,” he added.

Chief Supachai held little hope for Mr Lin’s survival.

“I don’t think he is still alive,” he said.

Mr Lin disappeared in rough surf at Karon Beach at about 6pm yesterday while swimming with his parents and girlfriend.

He and his family apparently ignored red flags and entered the dangerous surf, with strong waves reportedly reaching several meters in height.

A search was launched after Mr Lin’s family realized that their son had not resurfaced.

That search lasted only one hour until foul weather forced officials to wait until this morning.

— Yodsak Jarana / C Plerin