The victims were identified as Phumisak Chantajaem, 42, and his nephew Natthawipa Sriprasit, 13, both from Baan Phru Somphan, in Moo 8, Thepkrasattri.
The pair went swimming at the main area halfway along the beach when they were caught by powerful waves and pulled out to sea on Saturday. Despite immediate rescue efforts, both disappeared beneath the surf.
Witsarut Saman, chief lifeguard at Bang Tao Beach, confirmed to The Phuket News that red ‘no swimming’ flags were posted along the beach.
Thalang District Chief Siwat Rawangkun coordinated a large-scale search involving the Cherng Talay Police, Cherng Talay Tambon Administrative Organisation (OrBorTor) rescue teams, local lifeguards and divers from the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation. The operation deployed six jet-skis, drones and coastal patrols along the Bang Tao shoreline.
Search operations were initially launched at about 2:30pm on Saturday and continued until 6:20pm, when deteriorating sea conditions forced rescuers to suspend the mission.
The search resumed on Sunday morning (Nov 2) at 9:30am, but again had to be called off temporarily as strong waves hampered progress.
Late last night, patrol teams located the bodies of both victims in the surf near the original search area. The discovery was confirmed by Thalang District officials.
The victims’ relatives have been notified and the bodies have been taken for religious rites, the Thalang District Office confirmed.
Authorities have renewed warnings for beachgoers to avoid swimming during red-flag conditions, which continue along Phuket’s west coast due to strong monsoon surf.
Additional reporting by Eakkapop Thongtub
and Natnaree Likidwatanasakun