Tourist dies during snorkelling tour off Phuket

PHUKET: A 38-year-old Chinese tourist died during a snorkelling tour at Koh Racha, a popular day-trip island about 25km south of Phuket, yesterday.

He Hua was with his family and friends when the tragic incident occurred, explained Phuket Tourist Police Chief Urumporn Koondejsumrit.

“The other tourists were enjoying their lunch on a beach at Koh Racha when Mr He went alone into the water,” one of the Tourist Police officers who responded to the call told the Phuket Gazette.

“No one knew anything was wrong until they found him unconscious in the water at about 1:40pm.”

Mr He’s body was brought back to Chalong Pier, then taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital. As of this morning, doctors had yet to confirm the cause of death.

The Chinese consulate in Phuket has been notified of the death, Maj Urumporn said.

“Mr He’s family will begin making preparations to take Mr He’s body home to China,” he added.

— Thawit Bilabdullar