FEARS of Phuket's beaches being without lifeguards during the dangerous onset of the monsoon season have vanished. The Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation has offered Phuket Lifeguard Services an extension to work until June 27 while a new annual contract is drawn up.


PHUKET: The body of a heavily bearded Western man wearing only a red t-shirt was found on the sand at Patong beach early today.

His body was taken to Patong Hospital, where doctors should be able to determine whether he drowned or there was some other cause of death.

The man - naked except for the t-shirt - was reported to have been seen by Patong residents washing himself in the sea near Loma Park in darkness about 4am.

His body was found about two-and-a-half hours later when lifeguards and police were notified.

''There was a smell of alcohol,'' a lifeguard told Phuketwan. The man appears to be aged between 35 and 40 and of slight build.

There were no marks or bruises on the body. The Deputy Superintendent of Kathu Police Station, which oversees Patong, said: ''We would like resorts to check on any guests who may not have been seen today.''

Police will be hoping that the man is reported missing. He was wearing a gold ring on one finger, an officer said.

Although the cause of the mystery man's death has yet to be established, drownings occur on on Phuket's west coast beaches during the monsoon season and tourists are advised to swim between the lifeguards' flags.

Red flags mean no swimming.