German tourist dies at Bang Tao

THALANG: A 53-year-old tourist from Germany appears to have drowned yesterday off Bang Tao after going into the water to swim alone. Police named the dead man as Hans Peter Otto Krieter, who arrived a few days ago for a vacation with a friend, Alfred Herbert Prusseit, 55. Pol Capt Banchop Songnarong, of Cherng Talay Police Station, told the Gazette that the two men were staying at a hotel in Patong and rode a motorcycle to Bang Tao about 11:30 am yesterday. Mr Krieter went swimming alone while his friend drank and chatted to other German tourists at a small beachside bar. About 1 pm, a Thai woman told Mr Prusseit that she was concerned because she had seen his friend lying in the shallows, not moving. “When Mr Prusseit heard that, he ran to investigate,” Capt Banchop said. Mr Prusseit found his friend unconsious. An attempt at resuscitation was made on the beach but Mr Krieter did not respond. Police arrived soon after and took Mr Krieter’s body to Thalang Hospital for autopsy. “We believe he drowned but we are still waiting for the result of autopsy,” Capt Banchop added. Lifeguards are usually on duty during the monsoon season but Bang Tao and other beaches are considered safe during the November-April tourist season.