A Phuket Lifeguard Club officer told The Phuket News that the two were well known in the area, often seen together in a motorbike with sidecar.
The lifeguard believes the boy was running along the beach, and got swept away by large waves, around two to three metres high.
“We think he was washed in to the sea, then the boy’s grandfather went to try and save him, but he was swept away too.”
Lifeguards found the man first, and 10 minutes later found the young boy. Both were taken to Thalang Hospital, but were pronounced dead shortly after.