PHUKET, Thailand — Phuket’s beaches remained lively on Friday despite a sudden gust of wind on Thursday that caused a parasailing incident, tossing a foreign tourist and an operator into the sea. Both are now reported in stable condition, though the event briefly raised concerns among operators and visitors.
Beaches including Kata, Karon, and Patong saw a steady flow of foreign tourists enjoying water activities such as swimming, jet skiing, and surfing throughout the day. At Kata Beach, where the incident occurred, the parasailing operator suspended services for the day. Witnesses said that as the operator was guiding tourists back to shore, sudden rain and a strong gust hit, causing the parasailing boat to take on water and forcing the temporary closure. Authorities described the sudden wind as a rare, unforeseen event.
Other beaches, including Karon and Patong, continued parasailing services as usual. While light rain fell in the morning, wind conditions were calm compared to yesterday. Officials noted that previous parasailing accidents in Phuket typically involved equipment instability, making this event unusual as it resulted from a sudden strong gust.
Despite the scare, tourism in Phuket remains robust, with operators and visitors resuming activities and enjoying the islands’ waters safely. (TNA)
