PHUKET: The body of a Russian woman who went missing from Na Thon beach in Thalang district on Oct 20 was found yesterday 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 away by the current to an area full of garbage off Patong beach, far beyond the area which had been searched earlier, he said.
Her body was recovered by the Kusultham Phuket Foundation and brought to shore at about 11.30am at Layan beach, in Hat Layan National Park, in tambon Choengthele of Thalang district.
Sport and Tourism Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn was there when her body was brought ashore. It was then taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for an autopsy.
Rusradchenko arrived with a group of friends from Russia on Oct 16 and stayed at a hotel at Nai Thon beach.
She was last seen alive on Oct 20 when CCTV cameras in the area captured images of her between 10pm-12am.
She was standing under a pine tree on Nai Thon beach taking off a pair of shoes.
Her disappearance was reported to the police on Oct 21.
A land, air and sea search started that same day.
The search had involved many agencies, including the marine police and furthermore, the 3rd Naval Area.