Scottish tourist drowns at Phuket beach

PHUKET: A Scottish tourist on holiday in Phuket drowned early yesterday morning at the secluded beach at Ao Sane (map here), on Phuket’s southwest coast.

Police named the victim as Neil Gray, 36.

Mr Gray was swimming at the scenic beach at about 8 am when his friends noticed him signalling that he was in distress, Capt Chienchai Duangsuwan of the Chalong Police told the Phuket Gazette.

“His friends and other tourists at the beach rushed to pull him out of the water,” he said.

Mr Gray was raced to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town. However, he was pronounced dead on arrival.

“Mr Gray was apparently on holiday in Phuket to visit his brother, who lives here,” Capt Chienchai explained.

“He had no pre-existing medical condition that we know of. The group woke early to go swimming and snorkeling at the beach.

“However, we were told that he and his friends were up late drinking the previous night, so that may have contributed to his death,” Capt Chienchai said.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong