A British father has tragically drowned while swimming at a popular beach in Phuket, Thailand, after being caught in a powerful rip tide during a family holiday.
A Fatal Morning Swim at Freedom Beach
The 37-year-old man, from Ipswich, was paddling in the sea with his partner at Freedom Beach on Saturday morning when the incident occurred. According to police, the couple had arrived at the beach around 10am. While swimming, the man was struck by an unexpectedly strong wave and pulled beneath the surface by a rip current that dragged him away from the shore.
Shocked onlooker Chariya Thaweerat Howells, 31, described the chaotic scene. "The waves were pretty strong, we were even talking about how rough the sea looked," she said. "We'd only been there about ten minutes when we suddenly heard two tourists out in the water yelling for help."
Chaotic Rescue Attempt and Lack of Lifeguards
Beachgoers, both locals and foreigners, rushed to help. A Thai man launched a kayak and managed to rescue two tourists who were also being swept out. However, the British father had already disappeared from view. He was later pulled unconscious from the water and carried onto the sand.
Frantic CPR was performed for approximately 20 minutes by other tourists while waiting for emergency services. Chariya highlighted critical safety failures, stating there were no lifeguards or red warning flags present on the beach despite the dangerous conditions. "There was nothing to warn tourists how dangerous the waves were," she added. Communication difficulties between Thai helpers and foreign tourists further hampered the rescue effort.
The ambulance reportedly took around 25 minutes to arrive. Despite continuous resuscitation attempts, the man could not be revived.
Official Response and Aftermath
Police Lieutenant Colonel Chanan Mekchai of Patong Police Station confirmed the incident happened at around 11.30am on Saturday. An initial examination with Dr Punthanika Chaithienthong from Patong Hospital concluded the death was an accidental drowning.
The British Embassy in Bangkok has been informed. Police confirmed the deceased's family did not dispute the cause of death, and his body has been released to them for funeral arrangements. The man had arrived in Thailand with his wife on November 19 and was staying at Nipa Resort in Patong. He had reportedly been in the sea several times previously without issue.
This tragic incident underscores the perennial dangers of rip currents at Thai beaches, which claim multiple tourist lives each year, and raises urgent questions about safety protocols and lifeguard presence at popular holiday destinations.
