Karon Police were notified of the incident at about 5:30pm via the station’s Public Assistance Network Line group, said Lt Col Phirawat Yodtor, Deputy Inspector (Investigation).
Rescue workers, lifeguards, divers from the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation, and officers from the Tourist Assistance Centre launched an immediate search, which lasted more than three hours.
At 7:50pm, the girl’s body was found washed ashore. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Her body was transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a forensic examination to confirm the cause of death.
Police confirmed the girl was on holiday in Phuket with her parents and siblings, having arrived from Malaysia on Wednesday (Aug 6).
Officials expressed condolences to the family, who were said to be staying in Phuket until early October.