A 60-year-old Chinese man collapsed and died while snorkelling around coral reefs with other tourists at Koh Sak off Pattaya in Chon Buri province on Friday afternoon, police said.
The Chinese national (name withheld) was taken to a boat after he passed out in the water off the island and given first aid before being sent to a hospital. However, he died shortly later, said Pol Capt Natthawat Ploenjit, a duty officer at Pattaya police station, who was alerted around 6pm on Friday.
The tourist was among the 15 members of a Chinese tour group visiting Sak island. Three diving staff took care of the group during the snorkelling that began at 3pm, one staffer told police.
While viewing coral reefs for about 20 minutes, one staff member noticed the tourist did not move for quite a while, prompting him to check on him. He found the man unconsious and suspected he might have drowned. The tourist was immediately taken from the snorkelling site to the hospital.
Police believed some chronic health conditions, coupled with hot weather, might have caused the tourist to collapse and drown while viewing coral reefs.
They were investigating.
Authorities have urged providers of diving and snorkelling services to increase the number of diving staffers tasked with taking care of tourists to prevent similar tragedies.