PHUKET, THAILAND – An Indian tourist was found dead on Kalim Beach on 12 March shortly after breakfast, with police opening an investigation into the cause and reporting no initial signs of violence at the scene.
Body found in morning near roadside barrier
A hotel employee discovered 44-year-old Gaurav Sethi lying face down in the sand in front of the accommodation at Kalim Beach at around 9 a.m. local time. According to police information, the man was found near a traffic barrier separating the beach from the road.
Officers cordoned off the area and recorded that there were no obvious signs of an attack visible on the body at the scene. Investigators stated that the cause of death remained unclear pending medical examination.
Wife alerted as police take over case
The hotel worker informed Sethi’s wife, Vartika Bassi, before notifying the Patong police. Officers then took charge of the investigation and documented the circumstances at the beach.
They noted the position of the body near the barrier between the sand and the roadway and the absence of visible injuries. Further details about the sequence of events leading up to the discovery were not immediately available.
Late-night arrival, breakfast at 8 a.m.
Bassi told police that the couple had checked into the hotel at about 3 a.m. and had planned to stay until 15 March. She said her husband had breakfast at the hotel at around 8 a.m.
Before that, he had not complained of any health problems or shown any unusual symptoms, according to her account.
“He had breakfast at 8 a.m. in the hotel and had shown no complaints or noticeable symptoms beforehand.”
said Vartika Bassi, wife of the deceased.
Autopsy at Vachira Phuket Hospital
Sethi’s body was transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital for an autopsy to determine the medical cause of death. Authorities said the results would guide further investigative steps.
In parallel, police informed the Indian Embassy so that follow-up arrangements with the family could be coordinated. Diplomatic officials were expected to assist with procedures related to repatriation and consular support.
Kalim Beach repeatedly scene of fatal incidents
Kalim Beach had been the scene of several reported deaths in recent years, including drowning cases. Police records indicated that the area, where road, rocks and sea lie close together, had seen multiple serious incidents.
In 2024, a Thai woman drowned, reportedly after strong wind and waves swept her from rocks into the sea. An initial examination at the time identified drowning and suffocation as the cause of death.
Warning flags and an unresolved discovery
Also in 2024, a 20-year-old man from Myanmar died after ignoring a no-swimming flag, while rescuers managed to recover his companion. Authorities pointed to the case as an example of the risks of disregarding beach safety warnings.
In August 2025, the body of an unidentified man was washed ashore at Kalim Beach. According to reports at the time, there was no public update on establishing his identity.
Debate over safety at tightly packed beaches
The latest death has fed into a broader discussion about safety at popular stretches of beach where roads, rocks and the sea lie in close proximity. Local commentary questioned what measures might reduce risks in such zones.
Suggestions included more frequent patrols, clearer signage and around-the-clock access to medical first response. The case was cited as a prompt for renewed debate over how to protect visitors at heavily frequented coastal spots.