Unidentified foreigner drowns at Patong

PATONG: Police have appealed for help in identifying a Caucasian man who drowned yesterday off Patong beach near the Phuket Cabana Resort. Pol Lt Col Sanguan Muangtham of Kathu Police station told the Gazette that he received the initial report about the drowning at 3:10 pm yesterday. Beach guard Jaroon Tohtat had attempted to help the man, Col Sanguan said, but in the strong winds and heavy rain was unable to get him to shore. Passers-by eventually helped pull the victim back to the beach, but by then he was dead. Col Sanguan said the man, who was wearing a black swimming costume, was about 6 feet (1.83 meters) tall and was in his mid- to late 30s. He had short blond hair with patches of gray. He had no scars or tattoos. A pair of black sandals was found on the beach near where he drowned. The body is being kept at Patong Hospital in the hope that relatives or friends will come forward. Anyone who may know the identity of the victim is urged to contact Col Sanguan at Kathu Police Station (Tel: 076-342719/20).