FOUND SAFE! That was the good news today after an alarm about an Australian tourist who went missing while swimming off Nai Harn.
An alert beach attendant did the right thing, using a pair of binoculars to scan the sea and Koh Mun, where the man was aiming to go, and . . . bingo!
There he was, safe and sound on the island, waving his hands in the hope that someone would spot him.
''It was wonderful to not have another drowning,'' said beach attendant Song Saengtong. He had been alerted by walkie talkie that a tourist was missing from the beachfront Royal Phuket Yacht Club, where Robert Deane and wife Robin were guests.
Late this afternoon a kayak was sent across the 1.5 kilometres from Nai Harn to Koh Mun to bring back Mr Deane, 55, who lives and works in Singapore.
He has been swimming to the island every day around lunchtime but today, something went wrong. Chalong police were called late in the afternoon and told that Mr Deane was five hours overdue.
Honorary consul Larry Cunningham said Mr Deane told him that he had slipped over on the rocks, and was knocked unconscious when he fell.
An ambulance was treating Mr Deane for cuts and bruises. ''I'm fine,'' he told the paramedics. ''I'll be back in the water tomorrow.''
There was a genuine air of relief because Phuket has had a spate of drownings this monsoon season.
It would have been cruel to have another fatality at a beach on a day when seas were relatively calm and safe, more like they become every high season.
It would also have been a particularly tragic week for Australians, with tourist Brian Martin Hickey, 45, found dead in bed at Patong's P.S.2 Bungalow on Thursday. He and his wife had been guests at the Holiday Inn.
The Phuket Public Health Department reported five drownings in September, bringing the toll for the year to 47.
While the figure includes the seven victims of a dive boat capsize in March, fishing mishaps and pool deaths, many of the deaths have been on Phuket's popular western beaches.
The need for better safety on the beaches becomes more obvious when the figure of 47 deaths is compared with the road toll of 122 for the same period.
Phuket Riddle: Aussie Found Dead in Wrong BedAn alert beach attendant did the right thing, using a pair of binoculars to scan the sea and Koh Mun, where the man was aiming to go, and . . . bingo!
There he was, safe and sound on the island, waving his hands in the hope that someone would spot him.
''It was wonderful to not have another drowning,'' said beach attendant Song Saengtong. He had been alerted by walkie talkie that a tourist was missing from the beachfront Royal Phuket Yacht Club, where Robert Deane and wife Robin were guests.
Late this afternoon a kayak was sent across the 1.5 kilometres from Nai Harn to Koh Mun to bring back Mr Deane, 55, who lives and works in Singapore.
He has been swimming to the island every day around lunchtime but today, something went wrong. Chalong police were called late in the afternoon and told that Mr Deane was five hours overdue.
Honorary consul Larry Cunningham said Mr Deane told him that he had slipped over on the rocks, and was knocked unconscious when he fell.
An ambulance was treating Mr Deane for cuts and bruises. ''I'm fine,'' he told the paramedics. ''I'll be back in the water tomorrow.''
There was a genuine air of relief because Phuket has had a spate of drownings this monsoon season.
It would have been cruel to have another fatality at a beach on a day when seas were relatively calm and safe, more like they become every high season.
It would also have been a particularly tragic week for Australians, with tourist Brian Martin Hickey, 45, found dead in bed at Patong's P.S.2 Bungalow on Thursday. He and his wife had been guests at the Holiday Inn.
The Phuket Public Health Department reported five drownings in September, bringing the toll for the year to 47.
While the figure includes the seven victims of a dive boat capsize in March, fishing mishaps and pool deaths, many of the deaths have been on Phuket's popular western beaches.
The need for better safety on the beaches becomes more obvious when the figure of 47 deaths is compared with the road toll of 122 for the same period.
Breaking News A middle aged Australian tourist, holidaying on Phuket with his wife, has been found dead in a guesthouse bed in another part of the island. Police are making further inquiries.
Phuket Riddle: Aussie Found Dead in Wrong Bed
Aussie Arrested over 200 Million Baht Chemicals
Latest It's rare to have an expat charged over chemical based drugs but Phuket police have arrested an Australian over possession of ya ice ingredients with a value of 200 million baht.
Aussie Arrested over 200 Million Baht Chemicals
Thailand 'Deadliest' for Aussies: Cause is Secret
Latest Figures released by the Australian government show Thailand to be the most deadly destination for its citizens. But why? After two weeks of trying, Phuketwan still has no answers.
Thailand 'Deadliest' for Aussies: Cause is Secret
Phuket Police Open Fire as Kidnap Knifeman Flees
Photo Album Added With the Miss Teen Thailand contest inside, police outside the Kata Beach Resort fired shots to blow out the tyres of a knifeman fleeing the scene of an attempted kidnap.
Phuket Police Open Fire as Kidnap Knifeman Flees
'Hundreds Scammed' in Phuket Fraud, Say Reports
Updating report Newspapers in Finland say police are investigating claims that up to 250 people have been defrauded in a scam involving a Phuket nightclub and date palms.
'Hundreds Scammed' in Phuket Fraud, Say Reports
Phuket Art Gallery Expats in Work Permit Arrests
Latest News Two expat Phuket art gallery employees were arrested in a police check for work permits and later fined for not having their permits with them.
Phuket Art Gallery Expats in Work Permit Arrests
For readers who may not know, a " spate of drownings," is over 30. Yes, over 30 drownings in the " Summer Season" on Phuket.
Posted by Jill Elroy on October 19, 2009 08:29