Two foreign tourists who went missing after renting a kayak on Koh Maphrao (Coconut Island) off Phuket have been found safe and well. According to a Phuket Express report, the men rented the kayak from their resort on Friday but failed to return. By the following morning, there was still no sign of the guests and the hotel alerted the authorities.
According to Phuket Tourist Police, a boat captain named as Wittaya Ngankeng says that late on Friday afternoon, he found both men floating in the sea, holding onto the kayak, near Koh Rang Yai, in the Phuket sub-district of Koh Kaew. He says the kayak had not capsized, but had some water in it, and the men were unable to remain in it.
Wittaya says he rescued both men and the kayak, which the tourists left with a nearby security guard, saying they would be back in 10 minutes. However, they failed to return. Phuket Tourist Police say they have seen CCTV footage that clearly shows the men being taken to shore.
It’s understood the boat captain did not feel the need to report the incident until he saw media reports that a search operation was underway to find the men. Police are now attempting to track them down in order to formally identify them, but say they’re relieved both are safe.
SOURCE: The Phuket Express
