A Russian tourist is missing after he was swept away by waves on an island in Thailand.

Dmitrii Zakutskii, 31, was paddling off Nai Thong Beach when the currents dragged him underwater on holiday island Phuket on Monday morning.

His friend, Elizaveta, said Dmitrii was struck by a large swell while playing in the sea at around 9 am. She called lifeguards when he failed to resurface.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Akkarapon Siwilai of the Sakhu Police Station said rescue teams and divers have been deployed to search for the missing tourist who is feared to have drowned.

The incident occurred just days after an uncle and his teenage nephew drowned off Phuket on Saturday.

Phumisak Chantajaem, 42, and his nephew Natthawipa Sriprasit, 13, allegedly ignored red flags to swim in a restricted zone at Bang Tao Beach.

The pair were reported to have disappeared in rough seas at around 2:30 pm. Village officials, volunteers, and rescue teams launched a search but poor weather and visibility hampered the efforts.

The bodies were found late Sunday evening near the area where they disappeared.

Authorities have warned beachgoers to avoid going swimming during dangerous weather conditions.

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.