Phuket Lifeguards Rescue Tourist Who Ignored Red Flags at Patong Beach

A foreign tourist was rescued from rough seas at Patong Beach in Phuket on August 20 after entering the water despite red flags and repeated warnings from lifeguards.

The man reportedly told lifeguards that he was a strong swimmer before going into the sea. However, strong waves and currents eventually swept him away from the shore, leaving him unable to return to the beach on his own.

Lifeguards immediately launched a rescue operation using a jet ski and a yellow rescue board. They reached the tourist and brought him safely back to shore.

Thanpisit Saengrat, a lifeguard working near the Bangla area of Patong Beach, said incidents involving visitors who disregard red-flag warnings are a frequent occurrence. According to him, lifeguards had already responded to two similar cases on the same day.

Thanpisit said some tourists question why they are not allowed to swim when red flags are displayed, despite repeated warnings from lifeguards. He also noted that the situation becomes particularly dangerous when people enter the water after consuming alcohol.

“Some people only want to swim and ignore the warnings. Sometimes we also find intoxicated tourists going into the water, which increases the risk even further,” he said.

According to Amarin TV, Patong Beach is around three kilometres long and has approximately 10 lifeguard stations. Each station is staffed by about three or four lifeguards.

Thanpisit said two drowning incidents had been recorded in the Bangla area alone over the previous month. Another lifeguard team also continues to patrol and monitor the beach at night.

In emergencies, lifeguards use jet skis and specialised rescue equipment to reach swimmers in distress and bring them back to shore. CPR can also be administered when necessary.

Thanpisit warned visitors not to assume that strong swimming skills are enough to protect them in dangerous sea conditions. Rip currents can quickly pull swimmers away from the shore, putting even experienced swimmers at serious risk.

He urged tourists to follow red-flag warnings and stay out of the water whenever they are displayed, regardless of how confident they may be in their swimming abilities.