UPDATE: Missing German Tourist Found Deceased off Freedom Beach

Tuesday, 11 August 2026, 19:54

Phuket –

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suchart Chomklin, representing the government, has expressed condolences to the family of a 30-year-old German national who was found deceased after going missing in the waters off Freedom Beach in Phuket.

Our previous story:

Thai authorities are searching for Jannik Jürgen Knobel, a 30-year-old German national, who went missing after entering the sea at Freedom Beach in Phuket province on August 10, when strong winds and rough waves prompted officials to display red warning flags.

Jannik Jürgen Knobel was reported missing at about 3:45 p.m. on August 10 after encountering difficulties in the water near Freedom Beach Recreational Forest. Authorities and rescue personnel launched a search that continued into Tuesday (Aug 11), when his body was recovered from the sea near the beach at about 3:10 p.m.

Suchart had instructed the Royal Forest Department to coordinate closely with other agencies during the search and thanked officials and rescue personnel for their efforts. Royal Forest Department Director-General Nikorn Sirarotchananon later confirmed the recovery.

The Royal Forest Department is now in contact with the German Embassy in Thailand to notify the relevant parties and assist Knobel’s family with subsequent arrangements.

The preceding is a press release from the Thai Government PR Department.