Pattaya, Thailand – A 62-year-old British man drowned in the sea off Pattaya Beach on Tuesday evening after drinking alcohol, despite efforts by rescuers and medical teams to save him.
The incident occurred at approximately 6:29 PM on April 21st, 2026, at the beach along Beach Road in front of a well-known shopping mall. The Pattaya Rescue Center under Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan was alerted and dispatched rescue teams, Pattaya City Police, and medical staff from Pattaya City Hospital to the scene.
Upon arrival, rescuers found the foreign man lying on the sand with a cloth covering his face. Emergency personnel immediately began first aid and CPR, but he showed no signs of regaining consciousness. He was placed on a stretcher, transferred to an ambulance, and CPR was continued en route to Pattaya City Hospital. He was sadly pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
A 25-year-old jet ski rental operator named Mr. Wasan, who witnessed the events, told authorities that the British man had been drinking heavily and appeared intoxicated since the afternoon. He was resting on the beach before entering the sea.
“He walked about 5-6 meters into the water. At that time he was still conscious and could speak,” Mr. Wasan said. “I saw he was drunk and tried to tell him to get out of the water. Not long after, he went back into the sea, and then suddenly showed signs of distress. My friends and I rushed to pull him ashore and called for help.”
Investigators found the man’s wallet containing cash and identification documents. He was later publicly identified after his embassy and family were contacted as Mr. Gerald Horace Crawford, aged 62, a British national.
Police from Pattaya City Station are conducting a full investigation into the cause of death and will proceed with legal formalities. No foul play is suspected at this stage.
