PHUKET: A young Thai man who insisted on going for a swim despite having too much alcohol to drink has died in a Phuket hospital, Phuket lifeguards reported today.
The young man, aged 20, could not be persuaded to stay out of the water at the southern end of Kata beach, said a spokesperson for Phuket Lifeguard Club.
He went in about 4pm despite the advice of his friends, and soon after was pulled from the water semi-conscious by lifeguards.
Lifeguards tried to resuscitate the man, from Vichit, south of Phuket City. He was taken by ambulance to Patong Hospital, where he later died.
The total number of drownings on Phuket for 2011 shows 40 deaths compared with 37 recorded in 2010 and 57 in 2009. Figures include drownings in lagoons, canals and swimming pools as well as on beaches.
There were no drownings recorded in January. February figures have yet to be released. A Danish tourist drowned at a beach in Phang Nga, north of Phuket, on March 4.
The contract for Phuket Lifeguard Club to patrol Phuket's popular west coast beaches ends on April 2 when the annual call for tenders will be made.
Some lifeguards are expected to volunteer to stay on the beaches. Essential equipment, however, will have been returned to the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation.
There are concerns it could take weeks for the issue to be finalised with the more dangerous monsoon season due to begin in April or May.
The young man, aged 20, could not be persuaded to stay out of the water at the southern end of Kata beach, said a spokesperson for Phuket Lifeguard Club.
He went in about 4pm despite the advice of his friends, and soon after was pulled from the water semi-conscious by lifeguards.
Lifeguards tried to resuscitate the man, from Vichit, south of Phuket City. He was taken by ambulance to Patong Hospital, where he later died.
The total number of drownings on Phuket for 2011 shows 40 deaths compared with 37 recorded in 2010 and 57 in 2009. Figures include drownings in lagoons, canals and swimming pools as well as on beaches.
There were no drownings recorded in January. February figures have yet to be released. A Danish tourist drowned at a beach in Phang Nga, north of Phuket, on March 4.
The contract for Phuket Lifeguard Club to patrol Phuket's popular west coast beaches ends on April 2 when the annual call for tenders will be made.
Some lifeguards are expected to volunteer to stay on the beaches. Essential equipment, however, will have been returned to the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation.
There are concerns it could take weeks for the issue to be finalised with the more dangerous monsoon season due to begin in April or May.
