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Boy, Aged Nine, Drowns at Phuket Beach As Concerns Mount Over Rising Toll

Saturday, December 14, 2013
PHUKET: A nine-year-old boy drowned at Phuket's Karon beach this afternoon - the fourteenth victim at Karon-district's three beaches since May, and one of about 30 drowning victims on Phuket so far this year.

The boy, Awiwat Seatan, was a Karon local. Lifeguards said there were no red flags flying, and no signs of ''rip'' undercurrents.

''Today was a good day for swimming,'' one lifeguard told Phuketwan. The tragedy took place on the sands near the Karon sports stadium about 5pm.

The boy could swim and had gone to the beach with a cousin.

Lifeguards tried to revive the boy on the beach and he was taken to Patong Hospital in an ambulance. He died at the hospital.

The toll of drownings this year at Phuket's popular west coast beaches has alarmed ambassadors and led to a water safety summit being scheduled for next month in tandem with the Phuket International Boat Show.

Today's tragedy was an exception. Most of the victims at Karon and other beaches tend to be older people who in some cases have not been warned of the prospect of the holiday beach actually being dangerous.

In terms of being proactive and preventing needless deaths, more resort staff must become aware of the Phuket beaches and their moods.

In terms of being reactive, Phuket needs a considerable increase in the 108 lifeguards who currently patrol the beaches but who find it difficult to prevent people entering the water to enjoy the beach holiday they've paid to take.

The body of Awiwat is at Patong Hospital.

Comments

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Took too long until ambulance arrived, also it seemed emergency services in this area are not trained well. The lifeguard did a good job but ambulance- sad story!

Posted by Tobias on December 14, 2013 22:21

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The change in the local beaches has to be publicized & be a matter of concern. A long time friend of mine who has been coming to Phuket for 4 months every year (Dec - Mar) this past 18 years got caught by a rip tide off Karon Beach 3 days ago (in line with the football stadium) & had to be rescued by his son & another anonymous helper. I have also been here 18 years & am pretty sure that there were no rip tides in the high season previously. This year it is evidently quite different for whatever reason. World wide the environmental conditions have altered significantly. That seems to have extended to the local beaches. The sea takes no prisoners & this year seems to be in an unforgiving mood.

Posted by Logic on December 16, 2013 03:29

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I've been caught in a rip at exactly the same place & have heard of many other people going through the same experience there. This is one of the most dangerous spots on the beach & should be watched much more closely in my opinion. Unfortunately too late for this poor little boy.

Posted by Anonymous on December 16, 2013 14:35


Friday March 29, 2024
Horizon Karon Beach Resort & Spa

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