Police were alerted to the incident at around 12:30pm on Saturday (June 28), when Pol Lt Col Charas Lempan, Investigation Officer at Karon Police Station, was informed by Patong Hospital that a foreign tourist had been pronounced dead after being pulled from the water at Karon Beach.
The deceased was identified as Hikaru Oami, 34, a Japanese national. According to the duty nurse, Mr Oami had already passed away at the scene, but rescue personnel transported him to Patong Hospital in an attempt to perform CPR, which was ultimately unsuccessful.
Police later spoke to Mr Oami’s wife, Aimi Oami, 33, who declined an autopsy, stating she believed her husband had clearly drowned. Officers confirmed that the couple had checked into their hotel, on Patak Rd, on Friday (June 27) and were scheduled to stay until Sunday (June 29).
Hotel staff reported that the couple left the hotel earlier on Saturday morning to go swimming at Karon Beach. It is unclear what time the drowning occurred.
Authorities have recorded the case and contacted the Japanese Embassy to provide assistance. The body has been released to Mr Oami’s wife for religious ceremonies.