Three Drown in Nightmare Holiday at Hua Hin Beach

[Geko]

http://phuketwan.com/tourism/drown-nigh ... ach-22251/


Three Drown in Nightmare Holiday at Hua Hin Beach
By Phuketwan Reporter
Monday, April 13, 2015
PHUKET: Three swimmers drowned in a horrifying mass New Year holiday tragedy at a Hua Hin beach late today.

One person is believed to have gotten into difficulties at Sainoi beach about 5pm. Two others went to his assistance.



All three - two men and a woman - drowned, according to local officials.

At the same beach, two rescues were carried out earlier in the day.

The dead were named at KritsadaEamkitkarn, 38, Cholamas Theerachaisuranan, 23, and Nattapong Wootapanit, 24. Their bodies were taken to Hua Hin Hospital and Bangkok Hospital Hua Hin.

Earlier, one Burmese aged 15 drowned at Nam Khem beach in Phang Nga province, north of Phuket, while his eight-year-old cousin was rescued but still in a coma late tonight.

On Phuket, there are still no lifeguards at 13 prominent tourist beaches because of a dispute about the funding process.

[Terry]

As usual inaccurate reporting of a preventable tragedy.

It took place at Suan Son Pradiphat Beach - not Sai Noi - at around 4.00pm and yes three lives were lost tragically.

I witnessed the pathetic attempts by morons zooming up and down on jet skis trying to find bodies.

Suan Son is a favourite spot for us but the beach can be treacherous with dangerous rip-tides. Of course, no lifeguards on duty because life is cheap here.

[Big Boy]

Of course, no lifeguards on duty because life is cheap here.

I don't think I've ever seen a life guard anywhere in Thailand, so when I read the following, I was quite surprised:

On Phuket, there are still no lifeguards at 13 prominent tourist beaches because of a dispute about the funding process.

Have I been going around with my eyes closed, or do they really exist?

[PJG]

I live close to Suan Son beach by the Don Bosco school. The beach there looks safe as the water is quite shallow but is in fact quite dangerous as there are rip tides around the end of the beach associated with inlet from the fishing village.

There were a number of deaths a few years ago when kids staying for week-ends at the school were drowned.

Have never seen a life guard around that area.

Most of the drownings have been in the late afternoon. Donn't know if the currents are worse at that time of day or if it is down to the time most Thais go swimming.

Witnessed a drowning a number of years ago at Patong Beach, Phuket. I was the only person on the beach first aid trained so tried to help but was too late got no response.

Stay safe on the beach because unless you are lucky there is no qualified help.

[kendo]

Very sad indeed. I have been waist deep and was almost overpowered by the strength of the current i exited the water strait away.

[PeteC]

Typical reaction as usual. They are not specific as to the exact beaches, but to say "...downtown Hua Hin...." is pretty broad indeed.

"Prachuap Khiri Khan: A swimming ban has been imposed off beaches in downtown Hua Hin district after three holidaymakers drowned on Monday....."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... as-3-drown

[Big Boy]

Suan Son is actually the only place I've seen here with a life guard's seat, although I've never seen anybody sat there.

I'll be honest, there's so much debris in the sea at the moment that I would hate to go into the sea. On last night's beach walk with the dogs, there were some very big bits washed ashore or bobbing about just offshore. It can't be safe/healthy to swim amongst that stuff.

There were quite a few scavengers on the beach last night checking out what was being washed up - off course, most of it was of no value, so was just left behind.

The good news is that I've seen very few jelly fish for several weeks now.

[pharvey]

Very sad indeed. I have been waist deep and was almost overpowered by the strength of the current i exited the water strait away.

The Long Haired General isn't a strong swimmer and as such she'll only venture waist-deep in the sea. However, there's been occasions on a couple of beaches where she's been literally swept off her feet by the current/rip-tides. Can be extremely dangerous, especially for those on holiday with a beer or 2 inside....

Tragic loss of life and mind-numbingly annoying to hear about the muppets on their jet skis........

Have been to many beaches in Thailand over the years and can certainly say I've never seen a life-guard (or life-guard's chair for that matter).

[Big Boy]

When I did my series of beach walks to Cha-Am last year I noticed red flags flying. However, with nobody to enforce it/people not noticing/understanding, is there any point?

[PeteC]

I think most people pay attention to shark* warning flags, but few do for at least wading in water red flagged for swimming. Pete

* General observation and not Thai specific, as I've never seen a shark or a shark flag anywhere here.

[STEVE G]

General observation and not Thai specific, as I've never seen a shark or a shark flag anywhere here.

I think it's the sharks that need the warning flags in Asia!:
http://www.pingsharksfin.com/

[Frank Hovis]

And from the Bangkok Post
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... -hin-beach

Belgian man drowns off Hua Hin beach

An elderly Belgian drowned off a beach inside Suan Son Pradipat Army Rehabilitation and Recreation Centre in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Hua Hin resort town, police said. The 70-year-old man drowned while swimming...

More details on the Bangkok Post site.

[Big Boy]

As I thought - fly the red flags to void officialdom of any responsibility. However, don't patrol/enforce it, making it the swimmer's own fault.

[PeteC]

And from the Bangkok Post
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general ... -hin-beach

Belgian man drowns off Hua Hin beach

An elderly Belgian drowned off a beach inside Suan Son Pradipat Army Rehabilitation and Recreation Centre in Prachuap Khiri Khan’s Hua Hin resort town, police said. The 70-year-old man drowned while swimming...

More details on the Bangkok Post site.

What the hell! A man doesn't drown and then "...die shortly thereafter in a hospital..." At his age I would think a heart attack, stroke or some kind of seizure while in the water, but it seems the journalistic emphasis this Songkran week is people drowning in Hua Hin and vicinity. The article says he has lived with his Thai wife in Bo Fai for 5 years. I would think someone on here knew him? Rest In Peace, and I hope your final paperwork is correct and not assumptions. Pete

[Big Boy]

I've just come back from my nightly beach walk. No sign of red flags, many beach floodlights on and plenty of swimmers.

Is the ban paper talk, or is it all being ignored?