Turk becomes latest Phuket drowning victim

PATONG, PHUKET: A Turkish man is Phuket’s latest foreign drowning victim.

The drowning happened at about 5pm on Wednesday, on the stretch of Patong Beach opposite the Yee Teng Complex shophouses along the beach road.

Witnesses said the Turk, later identified as Deniz Coban, was at the beach with his wife and friends when he ignored the red warning flags and entered the heavy surf.

Beach chair vendors and jet-ski operators rushed to his aid after he was pulled under by the the waves.

Mr Coban, in his early 30s, was unconscious and ashen-faced when pulled to shore after a 10-minute search.

He was rushed to Patong Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The death was at least the sixth so far this monsoon season.

Most have involved foreign tourists who ignored red warning flags and verbal warnings not to go into the sea, which has dangerous riptides and undercurrents at this time of year.

Already, more than 90 people have been pulled to safety by the new lifeguards that went on duty last week at 12 island beaches.

The Turkish Embassy in Bangkok has been notified.

— Nation Channel