PATTAYA, THAILAND – A 21-year-old Chinese tourist drowned in the early hours of Thursday in the swimming pool of a luxury residential complex in Jomtien, prompting a police investigation into the exact cause of death while foul play was initially ruled out.
Body found in closed pool area
Emergency services received the distress call shortly after midnight. A lifeless person had been discovered in the pool of an upscale condominium tower in Jomtien, and paramedics immediately started resuscitation efforts, which remained unsuccessful.
The deceased was identified as Shao Yihao from China. He had checked in only a few hours before the incident and was staying in a room on the 20th floor of the complex.
Pool officially closed from 10 p.m.
According to the management, the pool area had been closed for the night from 10 p.m. Security staff and maintenance workers had left the premises after carrying out their usual evening inspections.
How Shao Yihao gained access to the pool after operating hours formed part of the ongoing investigation. Police secured traces at the scene and examined the victim’s room in the building.
Companion raised the alarm
Police were alerted by a female companion of the man, who noticed the situation when she returned to the complex. She immediately informed security personnel and the emergency hotline.
Rescue workers arrived shortly afterwards and transferred the man at once into medical care. A doctor declared him dead at the scene, and the Chinese embassy was informed about the death.
Cause of death not yet fully determined
The exact time at which Shao Yihao entered the pool remained unclear. Pattaya Hospital was conducting examinations to determine whether additional factors such as alcohol or pre-existing health conditions played a role.
Police stressed that there were so far no indications of third-party involvement. The formal investigation had been opened and was ongoing.
Second fatal swimming accident in Pattaya within a week
Only a few days earlier, a British tourist had drowned at Pattaya Beach. In that case, police stated that heavy alcohol consumption was a contributing factor.
The two incidents led to discussion over whether they pointed to structural shortcomings in the safety of public swimming areas. Tourism authorities and operators of residential complexes regularly came under pressure after such events to tighten access restrictions and surveillance measures for shared facilities.