Hero lifeguards dragged a drowning tourist to safety after he was swept away from the shore by a rip current.

The team at Bang Tao Beach rode a jet ski to save Mongolian holidaymaker Vladimir Gavrilenko, 33, who was seen drowning off the coast of holiday island Phuket, on August 6.

The tourist, who reportedly defied weather warnings to go swimming, struggled 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.

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 red flags had been placed along the coast to warn tourists of rough seas.

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.