The Chinese tourists were recovered from the surf at 6:25pm.
“Both of the tourists were caught in a rip current. One of them was exhausted, so we sent him to hospital,” one lifeguard told The Phuket News.
The double-rescue yesterday follows Phuket Lifeguard Service President Prathaiyut Chuayuan on Monday urging swimmers to obey the red “No Swimming” flags at beaches along Phuket’s west coast.
That warning followed lifeguards closing off a section of Nai Thon Beach on Phuket’s northwest coast due to dangerous surf there.
“Where the flags are placed differs from time to time and day to day. Sometimes the flags will be moved around depending on the waves,” Mr Prathaiyut explained.
Mr Prathaiyut also pointed out that many sections of beaches remain safe to swim and have lifeguards on duty.
“Remember to swim between the red-and-yellow flags only,” he urged.
The current rough surf pounding Phuket’s west coast is likely to continue for at least the next few days, Mr Prathaiyut noted. (See story here.)