Korean drowns at Karon

KARON BEACH: A middle-aged Korean woman drowned in heavy surf in front of the Phuket Arcadia Beach Resort just after midnight yesterday. Pol Maj Sanae Panmee, of the Chalong Police Station, told the Gazette that the victim, identified as 41-year-old En Seck Sea, entered the dangerous surf with a friend after drinking together at a local bar. The pair were hit by a series of large waves and pulled out to sea by the undertow. Another friend was able to save one of the women, but was forced to look on helplessly as Ms En was pulled far from the shore and eventually disappeared from view. Her body was later discovered by local residents and reported to the police and the Phuket Tourist Rescue Center at Chalong Pier. Maj Sanae, noting that red warning flags had been flying at the time of the drowning, urged residents and tourists not to swim when red flags are up. Ms En’s body was cremated at Wat Kosit temple in a ceremony attended by relatives.