After he was knocked over by a large wave, the lifeguards went in to try to help him out but he died before they were able to reach him.
The lifeguards said they had warned him not to go into the water not once, but twice, but still he went alone into the sea. His body, retrieved, was sent to Vachira Phuket Hospital.
Karon police are visiting hotels trying to identify the man. He brought no possessions to the beach with him apart from a bottle of water. Lifeguards said they thought from his accent that he was Russian.
Karon Beach Chief Lifeguard Uten Singsom told The Phuket News, “We have to be on high alert this week because the weather is pushing the waves to greater heights.
“I am very sad that the tourist drowned after we warned him, and set out warning signs and red flag. It makes no sense to go into dangerous waters.”