PHUKET, Thailand – A foreign female tourist was rescued by lifeguards after ignoring red-flag warnings and entering the sea at Nai Thon Beach in Phuket despite repeated instructions to stay out of the water. The incident was reported on August 22 by a Facebook page which shared a warning about the dangers facing tourists who disregard beach safety flags.
According to the report, lifeguards attempted to explain the danger and stop the woman from entering the water after a red flag had been raised because of hazardous waves and currents.
The woman reportedly insisted on swimming and told the lifeguards, “I flew here because I wanted to swim,” before entering the sea despite the warnings. Shortly afterward, lifeguards saw the woman being swept away by waves and currents and struggling to stay afloat. They immediately entered the water and managed to bring her back to shore unconscious.
She was given emergency assistance and was eventually brought to safety. Lifeguards said they face similar situations regularly, with some tourists continuing to enter the sea despite red flags and direct warnings. They urged visitors to respect red flags and follow lifeguards’ instructions, stressing that the warnings are intended to prevent accidents and protect swimmers from dangerous waves and currents.
