Maneewan Mutthong, 20, from Bangkok, was pronounced dead at Vachira Phuket Hospital yesterday morning, Witanya Chuayuan, Deputy Director of Phuket Life Guard Service told The Phuket News today.
“Hospital staff told me that Ms Manee had died when I called to follow up on her condition,” Ms Witanya said.
Ms Manee was in Phuket on holiday with about six or seven people, Ms Witanya said.
“The group ignored red flags and were caught in a rip current at Nai Harn Beach on Sunday (Apr 17). Ms Manee was the last one pulled from the water. She disappeared for about five minutes,” she added.
Lifeguards attempted to revive Ms Manee before she was rushed still unconscious to the new Accident and Emergency Department of the yet-to-be-built Chalong Hospital (see here), then transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital in Phuket Town, where better treatment could be provided. (See story here)
“It is very sad for such a young person to lose her life. It shouldn’t have happened, but they played in the water where red warning flags were posted,” Ms Wianya said.
Ms Manee was the first drowning death in Phuket of the Thai New Year.
“Other provinces have had children drown already this year, but this was the first person in Phuket to die from drowning this year,” Ms Witanya said.
The surf survival and life-saving training session for children held in front of Loma Park in Patong yesterday was the third such workshop conducted by Phuket lifeguards this year.
“The workshop, held from 9am to 2pm, is part of our ‘Kids Water Safety Project’ for 2016. Forty children took part. All of them live near Patong Beach and are 7 to 13 years of age,” Ms Witanya explained.
“This workshop was a good opportunity for them to learn basic survival and rescue techniques, such as
how to use a surf or rescue board and to swim confidently even when pushed underwater by waves.
“They also get to learn about sea animals and what the surf warning flags mean. They must be confident in the water and know when and how to signal for help from lifeguards if they need it.”
Andaman Sea Surf provided equipment to be used in the latest training session yesterday and for the first training session of the year.
Decha Sithidej, Director of Andaman Sea Surf, told The Phuket News, “I have provided equipment for this project many times. It is good project for kids.”
Ms Witanya said she expected the children to grow up with life-saving skills and recognise safety concerns when they are at the beach.
“And they will share what they have learned with their friends and family, so they too can be careful when swimming at the beach. We don’t want any more children to drown.
“This is a long-term project for children and about 170 children have already taken part in this year. Since 2014, about 600 participants have taken part in our surf survival and rescue training,” she said.
Ms Witanya added, “Our next project will be a ‘Family Water Safety’ training session, which also will be free to join.”
The date and location for the ‘Family Water Safety’ session have yet to be set.
For details call Ms Witanya at 081-7974775 or visit the Phuket Lifeguard Service Facebook page, here.