Cherng Talay Police were informed of the incident by lifeguards at about 3pm.
Lifeguards told police that the man came to the beach alone and ignored a red ‘no swimming’ flag to enter the water. He soon became exhausted and succumbed to the waves.
The man was unconscious and unresponsive by the time lifeguards were able to bring him back to shore. Unable to detect a pulse, lifeguards performed CPR.
The Surin Beach Rescue Unit soon arrived and continued CPR en route to Thalang Hospital, where the man was pronounced dead.
The man was known to be staying at a condo development nearby, police noted.
Officials are now to inform the Russian Embassy of the man’s death.
* The Phuket News is withholding the man’s name until it has been confirmed that his next of kin have been notified.