Holiday Turns to Horror at Nai Harn Beach
A dramatic rescue mission is underway at Phuket’s famous Nai Harn Beach. A 21-year-old Chinese tourist vanishes after being swept away by towering waves on Tuesday.
Rescue teams scramble to the scene, but wild weather forces them to halt the search. The young man remains missing.
Ignoring Warnings, Disaster Strikes
At 2:48pm on 1 October 2025, Yuan Wen Yi, 21, enters the water with his friend Wu Haoming, 28. Locals warn of dangerous currents and high waves, but the pair go swimming anyway.
Witnesses watch in horror as both men brave the surf. Suddenly, a powerful current drags Yuan beneath the surface.
Wu manages to escape and raises the alarm. But Yuan disappears in the churning sea. Emergency crews arrive within minutes.
Massive Rescue Effort Launched
Police from Chalong, Phuket’s tourist police, and the Kusontham Foundation launch a huge search. Marine police, fishing boats, and tourist vessels join the hunt for the missing tourist.
But conditions are brutal. Fierce winds, huge waves, and poor visibility make the rescue almost impossible. By evening, the search is called off—too dangerous to continue.
Mayor Steps In as Crisis Deepens
Rawai’s mayor, Thames Kraithat, acts fast. He orders a special search and coordination centre to be set up. The aim? To keep families, rescue teams, and local officials in close contact.
The search is set to resume on 2 October if the weather improves. A crisis meeting brings all agencies together. “We are determined to find him,” one official says.
Phuket’s Beaches: A Deadly Pattern
Sadly, this is not an isolated tragedy. Monsoon season brings deadly currents and towering waves to Phuket’s beaches every year.
Despite red flags and constant warnings, tourists keep risking their lives. Just in August, a European visitor died in similar circumstances. Authorities plead: “Take the warnings seriously. Don’t swim when it’s dangerous.”
What Tourists Must Know
Red flags mean no swimming—no exceptions. Even strong swimmers can drown in these currents. Stick to lifeguarded beaches and always check the latest conditions.
For Yuan Wen Yi’s family, the wait is agonising. The Chinese embassy is now involved, offering support. All hope Yuan will be found alive—but with every hour, hope fades a little more.
