A YOUNG GIRL who was in a coma after being plucked from the sea off a Phuket beach on Valentine's Day has died.

The life support system for 12-year-old Sirilak Klomsuk at Vachira Hospital was switched off on February 16 because there was no chance of her recovering.

Her family took Khun Sirilak home to Rawai, where she passes away peacefully.

Khun Sirilak was swimming at Nai Harn when she and her three sisters found themselves in difficulties.

Elder sister Leelawadee, aged 16, managed to carry five-year-old Kanokporn to safety from the water at the southern end of the beach, the same end where a young boy drowned on New Year's Day.

Ten-year-old Kanjana was also admitted to Vachira Hospital, where she recovered.

Rescuers on the beach at Nai Harn fought to save Khun Sirilak's life, with a German tourist applying the cardio-pulmonary resuscitation technique.

However, his valiant attempt to save her life failed.

Phuket's popular beaches have been without lifeguards since mid-November because under Thai law, tenders must be sought for the service.

Phuketwan understands two companies have expressed interest in bidding in March.

Phuket's beaches are most dangerous between April and November, when the monsoons create underwater rips at several popular west coast spots.

The Public Health department says there were 53 drownings in and around Phuket in 2009, and one in January.