THE DROWNING of a young man in a Phuket lagoon and the rescue of three girls at a popular Phuket beach showed that more people need swimming lessons, a Phuket safety expert said this afternoon.

Wilanan Saeong, 23, drowned in a stretch of water near the San Suk Temple in Phuket City this morning. He was to join the Navy on May 1.

It is believed he slipped beneath the surface, possibly suffering cramps, in trying to swim to a cousin's house on the other side of the lagoon, his family said. He had often made the crossing before safely.

Kusoldharm Foundation divers retrieved his body.

At the popular Phuket southern beach of Nai Harn yesterday, three young girls needed rescuing after getting into difficulties on a family picnic outing. The three were treated at Vachira Hospital Phuket in Phuket City and allowed to go.

All 13 popular Phuket west coast beaches now have lifeguards with the number of jet-skis - considered the best form of rescue - doubling to eight under the terms of a new contract.

Of Phuket's beaches, Karon has the reputation for being the most dangerous during the April-November low season, when deadly currents known as rips are formed by monsoon conditions.

Three people drowned in waters on or around Phuket in March, taking the tally for the year so far to 10. This is up on the figure of seven drownings in the first quarter of 2010.

Last year, a total of 37 drownings occurred on or around Phuket compared to 57 in 2009.