Fishermen reported finding a body floating in the sea near Koh Mun, offshore from Yanui Beach, south of Nai Harn, this morning (Oct 3).
Authorities brought the body ashore, where Chalong Police, Phuket Provincial Forensic Officers, a forensic doctor from Vachira Phuket Hospital, and the tourist’s relatives were present to confirm his identity.
Relatives confirmed the deceased as 20-year-old Mr Yuan Wenyi, who is believed to have drowned. The body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death. Officials also informed the Chinese Embassy in Thailand before releasing the body to the family for religious rites.
Rawai Mayor Thames Kraitat commented on the incident: “It seems the waves were relatively calm today, just like the day of the incident. I don’t dare speculate because anything could have happened. Maybe a rip current swept him away, or the swimmer had an underlying medical condition, or perhaps he went had a cramp and went into shock. We just don’t know.”
Lifeguards noted that there were no signs of struggling observed that day. “Someone about to drown must struggle,” a lifeguard said. “There weren’t any sounds or signals that day, so we assume he may have fainted.” Red flags warning against swimming had been posted along the beach on the day of the incident.
Mr Yuan went missing on Wednesday while swimming with a companion, 27-year-old Wu Haoming, despite strong waves and red ‘no swimming’ flags. He was pulled away by a current and disappeared from sight. Search efforts by the Marine Police, Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation dive teams, and local lifeguards continued through the following days, covering Nai Harn, Ao Sane, Yanui Beach, and offshore areas.
Rawai Mayor Thames Kraithat had set up a special search coordination centre to link authorities with the missing tourist’s relatives and oversee joint operations, but Mr Yuan was not located until today’s recovery.