Young Boy Stuck in Rip at Pattaya Beach Feared Dead

Published : March 29, 2010 :: 11:03:21 [ 2,104 views ]

Young Boy Stuck in Rip at Pattaya Beach Feared Dead

Rescue operations conducted yesterday at the Had Yin Yorm Beach in Pattaya have failed to find a young boy who is believed to have become stuck in a strong rip affecting the coastline yesterday.

Pattaya, the 28^th of March 2010 [PDN]: At approximately 1:00pm on Sunday, Marine Rescue personnel were notified that a young boy had been lost out at sea after possibly becoming stuck in strong underwater currents affecting the coastline. Marine Rescue divers along with Sawang Boriboon personnel went to the scene to investigate.

At the scene, the rescue team were confronted by Mr. Khamdee Phoonthong [47] from Ubon Ratchathani. Mr. Phoonthong explained that he had brought his family to Pattaya in order to pick up his eldest son Mr. Suthep Phoonthong [25], who had recently attained a Computer Certificate from the Father Ray School in Pattaya. Before the trip back to Ubon Ratchathani his youngest son Aphisit Phoonthong [14] convinced him that the family should go to the beach for a swim. Agreeing to his sons request Mr. Phoonthong took the family to the Had Yin Yorm Beach off Soi 5, Pratamnak Road.

Mr. Phoonthong revealed that his son had swum out to sea approximately 100 meters from the shoreline. Calling out to his son to come back as he was beginning to worry he heard him start to yell for help. At that time, several foreign men began to swim out to the young boy in an attempt to assist him. Unfortunately, the boy had been washed further out to sea or had been taken under the water as he had vanished from the scene when help arrived.

Marine Rescue divers searched for Mr. Aphisit for over 6 hours without success. Speculation is that the strong under current in the waters off the Had Yin Yorm beach on Sunday and the rough seas may have affected the boy, causing him to drown after he had attempted to resist the strong sea currents.

Pattaya Police will now be informed of the incident and a report of the evidence created.