Two South Korean tourists drown within days of each other on Thai island

Two South Korean tourists drowned within days of each other on an island in Thailand.

One of the tourists, Ik-kyu Han, 37, visited Ta Waen Beach on Koh Larn island in Chonburi province to go snorkelling and coral viewing with his friends on August 1.

However, his companion later found him floating face-down in the water and dragged him back to shore.

Medics performed CPR and rushed him to the nearby Koh Lan Community Medical Center, but he unfortunately could not be revived.

Police Captain Sombat Kaewmoonsuk of the Bang Lamung Police Station said: 'We have questioned witnesses at the scene and will send the body to the Institute of Forensic Medicine for a thorough autopsy.

'The cause of death is believed to be drowning, but we are awaiting confirmation from the autopsy results.'

Another South Korean holidaymaker, Sanggi Han, 81, drowned at the same beach just two days earlier on July 30.

Authorities believe he had an underlying medical condition, causing him to drown while paddling off the shore.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Piyapong Ensarn, chief inspector of Pattaya City Tourist Police, said: 'In the past, the Pattaya Tourist Police have tried to find ways to prevent drowning and save lives. We are preparing more measures to prevent the same incidents from happening again.'

Last week, a Chinese tourist and a Kazakhstan tourist drowned on the same day at different beaches on Phuket island.

Ka Fai Andy Che, 52, was swimming with his son Ho Wa Che, 15, when he was dragged into deeper waters by strong currents at Patong Beach on July 31. He drowned when he was swept into the red flag zone where swimming was prohibited.

Later that day, a Kazakhstan tourist, Yevgeniy Sapogov, 58, drowned at Karon Beach.

Lifeguards rescued him and rushed him to Chalong Hospital, but he died during transit.

The sea along the coast of Thailand is most dangerous between June and October when the country is going through its annual monsoon rainy season.