Body of Russian tourist washes ashore on Phuket beach

PHUKET: The body of a Russian man last seen spearfishing a few hundred meters offshore from Kata Beach on Friday was found washed ashore at the same beach (map here) this morning.

The body, still dressed in a wet suit and sporting flippers, was identified as that of 43-year-old Oleg Udaloi, Karon Police Deputy Superintendent Pachai Matthayan confirmed to the Phuket Gazette.

“On Friday, he and his wife hired a longtail boat to take him out to dive and spearfish near Koh Phu [Crab Island],” Lt Col Pachai said.

Mr Udaloi, apparently adept at his chosen sport, caught four fish in four concurrent dives. “The fifth time he dived, he never resurfaced,” Lt Col Pachai explained.

The longtail boatman called the Karon Sea Rescue Center for assistance. A search party was launched, but failed to find the missing Russian tourist.

“We found no signs of a struggle on the body,” Lt Col Pachai said.

“We believe he may have dived too deep and lost consciousness, or he may have developed a cramp while he was diving,” he said.

Mr Udaloi’s body was sent to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town for a post-mortem examination.

“We will investigate further in order to establish the cause of death,” Col Pachai said.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong