Young man from Melbourne remembered as 'beautiful soul' as two Aussie tourists drown in Thailand in space of a week
Last Tuesday, Corey Walsh, 22, a roof plumber from Melbourne, was swimming near the island of Koh Racha Yai, south of Phuket, when he was pulled under the water.
His sister, Charleigh, spoke to News.com and described her aspiring Muay Thai boxer brother as 'selfless and loyal'.
In an interview, Corey's sister said he had been training in Thailand and was with six of his closest friends, one of which he travelled to the Asian nation to begin his strict regiment which began two weeks before his death.
Corey had prepared since the start of the year for his four-week stint at the Rattachai Muay Thai camp. It is understood he had been sober for five months in the leadup to the intense training.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the 22-year-old died swimming while intoxicated.
Just three days before he drowned, the other five of his friends joined him to celebrate his progress on a chartered fishing trip.
The precise circumstances surrounding Corey's death are still unclear.
'They were fishing on the boat and celebrating their trip when they stopped to have lunch and go for a snorkel,' Charleigh said.
'We're still waiting for his friends to get home to learn more about it.
'He will always be my best friend, his passing has left a void that cannot be filled.'
Tributes poured in on social media with friends describing Corey as 'selfless' and a 'genuine and outgoing person' who could 'make everyone smile'.
Thai authorities have warned tourists about dangerous sea conditions and 'strong waves' after a second Australian man was found floating in the water.
A 41-year-old man from South Australia, Anthony John Heathcote, was reported missing by his wife on May 7, according to local news, and his body was found at Freedom Beach near Patong on Saturday.
He was pulled from the water by emergency responders. Police Lieutenant Colonel Wiwat Chamnankit said it was likely he drowned while swimming.
'We believe that the sea currents were too strong for him to swim back to land,' he said.
'Tourists should not go in the sea during these conditions when there are strong waves, unless they are with an experienced guide.'
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