Ugandan Tourist Drowns in Phuket Villa Pool

PHUKET — A 22-year-old Ugandan tourist drowned in the swimming pool of a luxury villa in Phuket's Kamala area early Thursday, police said.

Police in Kamala district received a report from emergency responders at about 05:15 on July 23 that a foreign tourist had drowned in a private villa pool in Kathu district.

The victim, identified as Claire Nabimanya, 22, was found face down at the bottom of the swimming pool.

According to police, an Indian tourist who reported the incident told investigators he had arrived in Thailand on his first day of vacation and met the victim at an entertainment venue on Bangla Road. The pair drank alcohol together before returning to the villa.

The man said they entered the swimming pool at around 04:00. He told police that the woman was not a strong swimmer, while the pool was about two metres deep with a sloping floor. She appeared to get into difficulty and drowned.

He said he attempted to rescue her but was unsuccessful. He then got out of the pool and tried calling the police emergency number 191 but could not get through, before contacting the 1669 medical emergency hotline. Rescue workers received the call at around 04:30.

Police inspected the scene and confirmed the pool was about two metres deep. They also found no lifesaving equipment near the pool.

Investigators reported no signs of a struggle or forced entry, and the villa room remained undisturbed. Officers also tested the emergency number 191 using the witness's phone and confirmed they were unable to connect.

The Indian tourist was taken in for further questioning and underwent a drug test as part of standard procedure.

The victim's body was sent to Vachira Phuket Hospital for an autopsy. Police are coordinating with the Ugandan Embassy to notify her family and arrange the repatriation of her remains.