Daytime teams responded to the majority of emergencies, with 29 tourists caught in rip currents and one requiring hospital treatment. Four injuries from water sports such as jet-skis, banana boats and parasailing were treated, with one person taken to hospital, while four surfers were also rescued after sustaining injuries offshore.
Other first aid cases included jellyfish stings, cuts from shells and sharp objects, fainting, asthma attacks, and two intoxicated tourists requiring hospitalisation. Lifeguards also provided assistance to two boats in difficulty and reunited lost or intoxicated beachgoers with safety teams.
Patong lifeguards were also called to eight incidents outside their designated beach area, including five road accidents and one drowning in a prohibited swimming zone.
In total, 14 people were transported to hospital by ambulance, while police handled one theft case and one case involving intoxicated behaviour. Property lost by tourists was returned in several instances.
The nighttime lifeguard team reported 21 cases of preventing people from entering the water after dark, when swimming is strictly prohibited. They also handled three theft or assault cases, assisted two tourists injured while playing with inflatable water toys, and returned three lost items to their owners.
Across both teams, 40 cases were classified as minor, 14 as moderate injuries, and two incidents resulted in fatalities – one drowning outside the permitted zone and one involving a dead fish found offshore.
Lifeguards also carried out community activities, including welcoming visiting delegations and giving safety training as part of the “Know, Remember, and Act” project.
Patong Beach lifeguards reminded visitors to always obey red flags, avoid swimming at night, and seek assistance immediately if in difficulty.