Phuket: A massive search is underway for a 53-year-old Russian tourist who is missing after last being seen on a beach two days ago, according to local authorities.
Police have not ruled out the possibility Elena Rusradchenko might have been attacked.
Nachapong Pranit, director of the Phuket regional harbour office, said he had been alerted to the woman’s disappearance by the provincial disaster prevention and mitigation authorities.
Ms Rusradchenko is reportedly a chief executive officer of a company.
She was last seen on Thursday walking along Naithon beach in Thalang district. She seemed absentminded after leaving the hotel that night, reports said.
Search parties have been mobilised and have turned up what are believed to be her shoes, a towel and water bottle on the beach, according to Mr Nachapong.
Bancha Thanu-in, Thalang district chief, and local police launched the search party at the Naithon Beach yesterday, with a marine team at sea and overland unit covering Naithon, Hin Kloi and Banana beaches.
Family members and friends of Ms Rusradchenko have offered a reward of US$10,000 (370,000 baht) for information that leads to news of her whereabouts.
Ms Rusradchenko checked in at a hotel on Naithon Beach on Oct 16 and was scheduled to leave next Saturday.
Police have not ruled out the possibility she might have gone into the water on her own or may have been attacked for her valuables.