TRAT: A 55-year-old German man drowned off Koh Chang after going out to sea to bring his two sons back to shore amid strong waves on Saturday.
Christoph Ralf Sigloch had gone into the water off Khlong Phrao beach to check on his sons because his Thai wife Sunantha was concerned that they were swimming too far from shore, said Pol Lt Col Man Rodthong, a tourist police inspector in Trat.
While swimming, the father suddenly began to appear exhausted and then drowned. His wife immediately called for help from staff of the hotel where the family were staying.
Sigloch was taken back to shore and given first aid before being taken to Koh Chang International Clinic. However, he died at 2pm, said police. His sons swam back to shore safely.
His body was sent to Koh Chang Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Police believed the man had become exhausted while swimming because of health problems. There were also strong waves at the time.
Pol Lt Col Man said the German and his family had travelled from Bangkok by rented car to see friends in Nakhon Ratchasima before they visited Koh Chang. The hotel where they were staying had earlier placed a red flag warning tourists not to swim because of strong waves.
Police have notified the German embassy about his death.
