Video footage courtesy of courtesy of Marcus Åkesson of Sea Fun Divers.
Marcus Åkesson, PADI Instructor at Sea Fun Divers, was leading a dive tour at Racha Yai when he spotted the vortexes at about 11am.
Despite never witnessing firsthand what damage a waterspout can inflict, Mr Åkesson told The Phuket News that he did not feel that he was in danger.
“I was not worried at all. It felt so distant and slow moving,” he said. “When it came closer, it started dissolving.
“I didn’t see any damage from it. Never have. Today was the first time I have ever seen this weather phenomena.”
The waterspouts hovered offshore while boats remain on anchor at Rach Yai, and while Santi Pawai, director of the Phuket office of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, inspected buildings on the beach.
The presence of the buildings sparked fears of beach encroachment, but turned out to be nothing more than film set for French comedy currently being filmed on the island. (See story here.)