This is the dramatic moment a drowning tourist was dragged to safety by lifeguards on a jet ski in Thailand.

The man reportedly defied weather warnings and ventured into rough seas on Bang Tao Beach in Phuket on Wednesday.

However, he was swept away into deeper waters by the strong current. Beachgoers who saw him drowning screamed and called for help as lifeguards deployed a jet ski to save him.

Footage shows the tourist struggling to stay afloat before the lifeguards arrived and threw a life preserver towards him. He grabbed onto the safety gear but appeared to lose consciousness soon after.

The rescuers hauled him onto the jet ski and, upon returning to the shore, immediately administered CPR. He was then rushed to Thalang Hospital by ambulance, where he was kept in for treatment.

Beach lifeguard Witsarut Saman said: 'We don't know his identity as he was not carrying personal documents. We don't have any updates on his condition, but we hope he survived.'

Beach drownings are a recurring safety concern in Thailand, especially in tourist hotspots like Phuket, Pattaya, and Krabi. The deaths are often attributed to strong rip currents, lack of swimming skills, and disregard for warning signs.

The waters are most dangerous during the country's rainy monsoon season, when red flags are placed in beaches to warn of dangerous sea conditions.