Australian Tourist Dies After Drowning in Phuket Villa Pool
A 45-year-old Australian tourist drowned in a luxury villa's swimming pool in Phuket on July 21 after relatives pulled her from the water and attempted CPR, but she could not be revived at the hospital.
A 45-year-old Australian tourist, Hai Yan Hong, drowned in a 3-meter-deep swimming pool at a luxury villa in Phuket. At 8 p.m. on July 21, 2025, Thalang Police Station received notification from Thalang Hospital about the death of a foreign tourist. Deputy Investigation Officer Kriang Krai Dao Krajai reported the incident to Thalang Station Commander Nikorn Chutong before proceeding to investigate with hospital medical staff.
The victim drowned in the pool of a luxury villa in Pa Khlok subdistrict, Thalang district, Phuket. Initial questioning of the victim's husband, Ya Si, revealed that he arrived with his wife and 12 other family members on July 20, with lodging scheduled through July 25, 2025. On July 21 at approximately 4 p.m., he and his wife rented a jet ski and played near Naka Island before returning to the villa around 5:15 p.m. They then went swimming in the villa's 3-meter-deep pool with approximately eight relatives.
While swimming, relatives discovered the victim drowning in the pool. They immediately pulled her out and performed CPR while contacting emergency services 1669. She was transported to Thalang Hospital, where doctors attempted resuscitation but she was pronounced dead shortly after. An initial autopsy by police and hospital medical staff determined the cause of death as drowning. The body is being held at Thalang Hospital pending a detailed autopsy. Investigators will continue interviewing relatives present at the scene, review security camera footage, notify the Australian Embassy, and proceed with legal proceedings.
