A French tourist drowned while saving his sister who was struggling in the sea in Thailand.

Laurent Simon, 60, battled to rescue his sibling Francoise who went swimming off Patong Beach despite red flag weather warnings.

The brother tried to reach Francoise as she flailed in the rip current before her husband Jose David Cuvellier also came to her aid. Both men managed to push the struggling woman toward the shore but were themselves trapped in the current.

Lifeguards dragged the unconscious pair back to the beach after being alerted by onlookers.

Footage shows rescue officers carrying Laurent away on a rescue board while a LUCAS machine applied rhythmic chest compressions.

Authorities said Laurent passed away at Patong Hospital on September 17 while Jose remains in critical condition.

Police Lieutenant Wichayut Damphueak, deputy investigating officer, said: 'During questioning, Ms. Francois said she and her family arrived in Thailand on September 16.

'On the 17th, at around 2:30 pm, the four of them went swimming at Patong Beach behind the tourist police station, disobeying the no swimming warning. One brother, Olivier, emerged from the water first but Ms. Francoise became trapped. The two men drowned while rescuing her.'

He added that Laurent's body was at Patong Hospital to undergo a post-mortem exam.

Laurent's brother Olivier said: 'It is with great sadness that our family informs you of the tragic death of Mr. Laurent Simon, born on March 13, 1965, former footballer of Arcopal and Club Colombophile Arquois. Rest in peace, little brother.'

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

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.