PHUKET: A tourist drowned at Patong beach today near a spot where two other tourists died earlier this year.
The man, named by police as Mikhail Bogdanov, 69, was holidaying alone on Phuket from Russia.
Lifeguards used a jet-ski to pull Mr Bogdanov from the water about 8.30am but he could not be revived.
Mr Bogdanov checked in to a resort in Phrabaramee Road on Tuesday and intended to stay until November 23.
The spot where he drowned is near the intersection of Patong's beach road with Soi Chaloem Phrakiat, wnere an American and a Chinese man drowned earlier in the year.
Lifeguards say they need the help of resorts on Phuket's west coast to warn tourists of the dangers of swimming on red-flag no-swim days or outside the designated lifeguard-patrolled zones on beaches.
The American and the Chinese man both stayed at the same three-star resort, not far from the spot where Mr Bogdanov died.
When Phuketwan called the resort after the second death to ask whether warnings were being given, a spokesperson said the local municipality was responsible for safeguarding guests beyond the boundaries of the resort.
There was no plan to introduce warnings on checkin, brochures or a sign in the foyer on dangerous days, despite the request for help from lifeguards.
Phuket beaches are usually tranquil between November and April but unseen currents known as ''rips'' are present in danger spots at Patong and Karon all year long.
Mr Bogdanov's body was taken to Patong Hospital.
The man, named by police as Mikhail Bogdanov, 69, was holidaying alone on Phuket from Russia.
Lifeguards used a jet-ski to pull Mr Bogdanov from the water about 8.30am but he could not be revived.
Mr Bogdanov checked in to a resort in Phrabaramee Road on Tuesday and intended to stay until November 23.
The spot where he drowned is near the intersection of Patong's beach road with Soi Chaloem Phrakiat, wnere an American and a Chinese man drowned earlier in the year.
Lifeguards say they need the help of resorts on Phuket's west coast to warn tourists of the dangers of swimming on red-flag no-swim days or outside the designated lifeguard-patrolled zones on beaches.
The American and the Chinese man both stayed at the same three-star resort, not far from the spot where Mr Bogdanov died.
When Phuketwan called the resort after the second death to ask whether warnings were being given, a spokesperson said the local municipality was responsible for safeguarding guests beyond the boundaries of the resort.
There was no plan to introduce warnings on checkin, brochures or a sign in the foyer on dangerous days, despite the request for help from lifeguards.
Phuket beaches are usually tranquil between November and April but unseen currents known as ''rips'' are present in danger spots at Patong and Karon all year long.
Mr Bogdanov's body was taken to Patong Hospital.
most countries I have been to with dangerous sea conditions the hotels give warnings and guides to swimming, why do the hotel here keep turning a blind eye to something that is easy for them to do and could save lifes, more somnomna thinking
Posted by Michael on November 19, 2012 14:05