PHUKET – A vacation on the island of Phuket turned tragic for a visiting Canadian family when their 10-year-old daughter drowned at Kata Beach on Thursday night, August 7, 2025.
The family had landed in Thailand just one day earlier, looking forward to a two-month getaway. The drowning, linked to sudden rip currents, has left the family heartbroken and put a spotlight back on beach safety at this well-loved tourist hotspot.
Karon Police reported that the family, including a 55-year-old father, a 39-year-old mother, and four children aged 7, 10, 13, and 16, arrived from Malaysia on August 6.
Excited about their long holiday, they wasted no time heading to Kata Beach for their first full day. This beach draws many for its scenery, but it is also known for strong currents during the wet season. Around 4:00 p.m., while the family enjoyed the water together, fast-moving waves from a riptide overpowered them.
The 10-year-old girl was carried away by a powerful rip current and could not be seen after going under.
Emergency services rushed to the scene after the Karon Police received a call on their Public Assistance Network Line. Local lifeguards, rescue divers from the Kusoldharm Foundation, and members of the Tourist Assistance Centre all joined the search.
Teams split up, with some searching the deep water near Koh Pu island and others closer to shore. After three hours of searching, the young girl was found on the beach at 7:50 p.m. She could not be revived and was pronounced dead on site.
Her body was sent to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a formal examination.
The Canadian Embassy in Bangkok is helping the family with arrangements to return home and providing support during this tragic time. A spokesperson for the embassy shared their condolences and assured that the family is receiving all possible help.
Kata Beach has seen several drownings among tourists in recent years, raising concerns about water safety, especially during the monsoon from May to October. In June 2025, a visitor from Kazakhstan died at the same beach, despite warnings from lifeguards.
In July, two more foreign tourists were rescued from near-drowning incidents after ignoring red flags that ban swimming. Also, in June 2024, an American tourist and his Thai companion drowned at Mai Khao Beach after swimming despite warning signs.
Authorities say red flags and “no swimming” signs are often posted during risky conditions, but some guests still swim.
Phuket officials and lifeguards continue to urge tourists to listen to safety advice and stay out of the water when conditions are dangerous. Lifeguard Sarawut Somboon from Karon Municipality said, “Riptide currents here can be very strong this time of year.
We do our best to warn people, but it’s so important that everyone pays attention to the red flags and follows lifeguard instructions.”
This incident has deeply affected Phuket’s tourism industry, which depends on its reputation as a safe and beautiful destination.
Local leaders have shared their sympathies and said they will continue to strengthen safety at the beaches with more lifeguard patrols and better public information. The family, who planned to stay until October, now faces the painful process of returning home without their youngest child.
As police continue their investigation, officials are looking at what other steps could keep beachgoers safe from similar tragedies. For now, their main focus remains on helping the family through this unimaginable loss, far from home.
