A schoolgirl drowned while swimming with her friends at a waterfall in western Thailand.

Prapassorn Thamnam, 15, was paddling in the waist deep fresh water when she was dragged away by the currents at the Sai Khu Waterfall in Prachuap Khiri Khan.

Her friend, Apinya Klinyu, 14, managed to grab onto a rope at the edge of the shore but Prappasorn was swept away downstream. She alerted park rangers, and a search and rescue team was sent to the area.

Divers and volunteers scoured the waterfall, where several tourists had been searching throughout the afternoon.

After just 10 minutes, the officers found Prapassorn's lifeless body lying among rocks in a shallow part of a pond.

Apinya said: 'We arrived at around 3:30pm and went into the water after signing in. We held onto a rope while swimming, but Prapassorn's hand slipped and she was swept away by the current. I tried to shout for help, but no one was nearby.'

Anocha Lamprasert, an officer of Kromluang Chumphon Wildlife Sanctuary, said there were more than 100 tourists playing in the waterfall at the time, but only two officers assigned to monitor safety regulations.

He said: 'Tourists are urged to be cautious, as the currents are currently strong. If you wish to swim, you should have safety equipment to help you float.'

Police Captain Insorn Promhom of Bangsaphan Police Station said the deceased was taken to Bang Saphan Hospital for a post-mortem examination before being handed over to her family.

The incident occurred several weeks after another schoolgirl drowned while swimming with friends.

Pawityada Thermwai, 15, drowned after being swept away by strong currents in a canal in Nakhon Ratchasima, on October 6.

Rescuers later found her body around 20 metres (66 feet) from where she vanished.

Local officials have since warned residents to avoid swimming in waterways during the rainy season.