UPDATE: Police later confirmed that the body of Mr Saman was found floating in the water near the pier in front of Wat Tha Chatchai at about 8:30am today (Jan 22).
Tha Chatchai Police were notified of the incident at about 3:10pm. Pol Lt Nattawut Saraitong, a deputy investigator at Tha Chatchai Police Station, received the report via the station’s radio centre and was dispatched to investigate.
At the beach, officers met Thongpan Kesaramala, who reported that his younger brother, Saman, 52, had gone swimming at about 2:30pm.
Mr Thongpan said his brother gradually walked further into deeper water. Despite calling out for him to return, Mr Saman continued moving further out to sea before disappearing from sight.
Mr Thongpan immediately contacted authorities after losing sight of his brother.
Police have coordinated with local rescue teams to launch a search operation for the missing man. Further procedures will be carried out as the search continues, police said.
If you or anyone you know is in need of emotional support and counselling, please contact the Samaritans of Thailand at 02-113-6789 (English & Thai) or the Mental Health Hotline at 1323 (Thai).