SAFETYImmediate
Phuket closes Freedom Beach after German tourist drowns
Phuket has temporarily closed Freedom Beach after a German tourist drowned despite red flags. The closure follows two other foreign tourist deaths there in 2025, amid 56 drownings across Phuket beaches during 2024-2026. Monsoon waves reaching 3 meters or higher have prompted the environment minister to order stricter safety measures, with no reopening date set.
A live hazard or material disruption is in effect.