AN Englishman drowned at Karon beach on Saturday, the third drowning on Phuket within days.

Unconfirmed reports to Phuketwan say that a 12-year-old Thai girl has also drowned this weekend at another popular Phuket beach, Surin.

The Englishman has been named as James Patton, 21.

His girlfriend, Bethan Jones, who is believed to be several months pregnant, was flying home to Britain today via Bangkok.

The couple were both scheduled to leave today after completing their holiday. The body of Mr Patton is now expected to be flown home next week.

Phuketwan has been told several people got into trouble in the water at Karon with Mr Patton but the others, including an Englishman who attempted a rescue, escaped with their lives.

''I was absolutely exhausted,'' the would-be rescuer later told friends.

A 43-year-old Frenchman and his 31-year-old Thai female companion were reported to have drowned at Karon beach on Friday in similar circumstances.

Days earlier, an Australian family narrowly escaped death at the same beach.

Reports of people narrowly avoiding drowning on Phuket are an almost daily occurrence at this time of the year.

While red flags are supposed to deter people from swimming on days when conditions are unsafe, there are beaches where the red flags are left flying for the entire monsoon season.

Warning signs are at some beaches, but seldom in highly visible positions.

One reliable source said today: ''An Indian woman who couldn't swim went straight into the water at Nai Harn yesterday and had to be rescued.

''There is what amounts to a permanent rip (an unsafe, unseen undertow) at that beach.''

The spate of drownings and near-fatalities is bound to put pressure of local administrations. Improved safety in the water has been promised for tourists and residents alike.


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