PHUKET, THAILAND — Two men died within hours on 4 November after being pulled from dangerous monsoon surf at Nai Thon Beach, prompting renewed warnings from rescue services.
Morning search for missing Russian swimmer
At 10:14 a.m. on Monday, 31-year-old Dmitrii Zakutskii from Russia disappeared while swimming at Nai Thon Beach in Phuket’s Sakhu subdistrict. Witnesses told Thalang District Police that a high wave dragged him beneath the water. Rescue Chief Somchai Nakarat confirmed that the Sakhu Subdistrict Administrative Organization and the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation launched a multi-agency search using lifeguards and boats along a 500‑metre stretch of coastline.
The operation continued into the next day. By 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, 4 November, lifeguards from Bang Tao Beach, local village head Surachai Khunthong, and district officers expanded the area with jetskis. Rescuers recovered Zakutskii’s body roughly 200 metres offshore, ending the 30‑hour mission.
Second death only hours after recovery
At around 2:30 p.m. the same day, lifeguards spotted another man motionless in the surf near the same beach section. 22‑year-old Kyaw Soe Naing from Myanmar was pulled ashore by the Sakhu lifeguard unit. Medics from Thalang Hospital performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation during transport, but Dr. Apinya Suthamat of the emergency department declared his death on arrival at 3:05 p.m.
Officials warn of deadly monsoon currents
After both incidents, Phuket Marine Office spokesman Krit Thongchai urged residents and travellers to heed posted warnings. “PLEASE STAY OUT OF THE WATER WHEN THE RED FLAGS ARE RAISED,” he said. “EVEN TRAINED SWIMMERS CAN BE DRAGGED UNDER IN SECONDS.” He added that at least four drownings had been recorded on Phuket’s west coast since late October.
According to Phuket Lifeguard Service, the red flags had been placed at Nai Thon Beach for 15 consecutive days due to wind speeds reaching 35 km/h and waves rising up to 2.5 metres. Officers reported that both victims entered the sea in prohibited zones marked by the warning line.
Previous accidents heighten local concern
Local village head Surachai Khunthong told district reporters that two more tourists had drowned at nearby Bang Tao Beach earlier this monsoon season. “WE ASK ALL HOTEL OPERATORS TO INFORM GUESTS EVERY MORNING ABOUT FLAG MEANINGS AND LOCAL CONDITIONS,” Surachai said during a briefing on 5 November.
Governor Sophon Suwannarat ordered increased patrols and a 20% expansion of beach warning signage by 12 November across Thalang District waters. Regional rescue teams plan additional drills with 60 volunteers and three new jetskis before the end of the year.
Safety reminders for visitors
Marine officers listed key safety measures for the ongoing season:
– Keep at least 50 metres from flagged red zones.
– Swim only where yellow flags are displayed and lifeguards patrol.
– Notify local lifeguards before entering the sea during high winds.
“WE CANNOT STOP THE SEA, BUT WE CAN AVOID ADDING NEW NAMES TO OUR REPORTS,” rescue coordinator Somchai Nakarat said after completing both recovery operations.