The search has resumed today for two Russian nationals who were swept into the sea by high waves from a popular viewpoint at Bo Phut Beach on Samui Island on Friday.
Police say that the man and woman arrived in a car and then went to the viewpoint for a rest, despite a sign warning of a storm surge with waves about four metres.
A large wave washed over the viewpoint, sweeping the two Russians into the sea.
Marine police and an emergency response team launched a search and rescue operation as soon as they were alerted. After a search of the sea, lasting several hours, no trace of the pair could be found, police said.
Meanwhile, in Phang-nga province, a 57-year-old German national is reported to have been bitten by a “large fish”, suspected to be a shark, while he was swimming in the sea off Khao Lak on Friday.
District officer of Takua Pa district, Siwat Rawangkul, and marine officials went to the beach to investigate and ordered red flags to be flown to let tourists know that they should exercise caution when swimming in the sea.
The German suffered a 30cm wound, that looks like a bite mark, on his left leg and is being treated at a private hospital in Phuket.
Siwat said that a similar attack occurred in the waters around Khao Lak about four years ago and officials still have no firm idea what species of fish was responsible. Pictures of the wound have been sent to experts to identify the creature.
A Thai witness, Athiti Pinyo, recalled that he saw the German waving his hands and shouting for help, so he rushed to his rescue. He said that the victim was in water that was about chest deep when he was attacked.
Villagers in Kuk Kam sub-district claim that, a few days ago, they caught a shark of an unknown species near the beach at Khao Lak.
