Locals reel in Thai man stranded at sea for 2-hours near Koh Samui (video)
Locals on Koh Samui, an island in the southern province of Surat Thani, came to the aid of a Thai man who accidentally fell into the sea yesterday and was stranded, treading water for two hours.
Samui Association Rescue Volunteers were alerted by locals at around 9am yesterday, November 6, that the Thai man, later identified as 34 year old Sanadate, was floating about 300 metres away from the Lad Koh Viewpoint. Rescuers quickly rushed to bring him back to the coast.
According to the rescuers, Sanadate was clinging tightly to a plastic container and shouting for help. It was raining at the time, making the situation more difficult. Sanadate was shivering due to the cold sea water and rain.
The rescuers brought Sanadate to shore on a jet ski, landing at Chaweng Noi Beach. He was found with wounds and bruises across his arms and legs, his body was pale, and he appeared extremely exhausted.
After resting, Sanadate explained to the rescue team that he was sitting on the rocks enjoying the view at the Lad Koh Viewpoint around 7am that morning. He slipped and fell into the sea. He attempted to return to the rocks, but the waves swept him further and further from the shore.
Sanadate said he continued shouting for help until locals on the shore noticed him. They threw the container to help keep him afloat and called for rescue, which reached him after two hours in danger.
Sanadate received treatment at Koh Samui Hospital and is now in a stable condition.
In a related rescue operation, a rescue team in Phuket successfully saved seven passengers of a longtail boat that capsized near Koh Rang Yai on October 21. The accident was reportedly caused by a large wave.
In the same month, a Thai fisherman survived after floating in the sea off the southern province of Satun for four days. The man accidentally fell off a fishing boat. He attempted to swim back and called to his friends to stop, but was unsuccessful.
The fisherman managed to survive by removing all his clothes to make himself lighter and drinking leftover sugarcane juice from a floating bottle until the waves eventually carried him to Bulon Mai Phai Island.
