PHUKET: The body of a Russian woman missing from Na Thon beach in Thalang district since Oct 20 was found on Wednesday morning, provincial police chief Pol Maj Gen Sermpan Sirikhong said.
Elena Rusradchenko, 53, was found dead, floating in the sea about 30 kilometres off Patong beach and almost 40km from Na Thon beach. She was wearing the same clothes she had on when last seen alive.
She had been swept by the current to an area full of garbage off Patong beach, far beyond the area which had earlier been searched, he said.
Her body was retrieved by the Kusultham Phuket Foundation and brought to shore about 11.30am at Layan beach, in Hat Layan National Park, in tambon Choengthele of Thalang district.
Sport and Tourism Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn was at the beach when her body arrived. It was then taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for an autopsy.
Rusradchenko arrived with a group of friends from Russia on Oct 16. They stayed at a hotel at Nai Thon beach. She was last seen alive on Oct 20 and her disappearance was reported to police on Oct 21. A land, air and sea search for her started that day. The search involved many agencies, incuding marine police and the 3rd Naval Area.
