Frenchman drowns at Kata

KATA: A 74-year-old French tourist who was staying at Club Med drowned near the resort yesterday morning. The body of the man, named by police as Rene Massoud Hogege, washed up on the beach about 9 am. Others on the beach thought Mr Hogege had gone for a walk, and when his body was found, called Chalong police and Phuket International Hospital. An autopsy at the hospital confirmed death by drowning, said Pol Maj Anan Jingjit of Phuket Town. Mr Hogege was traveling alone. The French embassy has been contacted.