Chinese tourist rescued after canoe capsises off Phuket

A Chinese tourist who could not swim was rescued after waves overturned her canoe off Rawai, Phuket, leaving her clinging to the upturned craft until a fishing boat passed by, according to a report published on 4 November 2026.

The incident occurred at about 5.40pm on 3 November near Koh Man in Rawai, Mueang Phuket district. The woman, aged approximately 20, had paddled from Yanui Beach and drifted far from shore before waves overturned the canoe.

She managed to hold on to the canoe and climb onto its upturned hull. When a fishing boat returning from the Koh Man area approached, she raised her paddle and shouted for help. A man on the boat pulled her aboard and the crew brought her safely back to shore.

One of the rescuers said the woman told them she had become frightened after the canoe capsised because she could not swim. She reportedly cried with relief after being brought aboard.