Melbourne grandmother dies on Thai holiday

A Melbourne grandmother who drowned in the surf while on holiday in Thailand has been remembered by her colleagues as "a true people person".

Barbara Fistrovic, 65, was swimming at Phuket's Kamala Beach on Sunday when she was overwhelmed by powerful waves, the Phuket News reported on Monday.

Lifeguards pulled her unconscious from the water but were unable to revive her and she was pronounced dead at Patong Hospital.

Ms Fistrovic worked at children's charity The Smith Family for 18 years and in 2015 received a Forbes Awards in recognition of her commitment.

She has been remembered by her co-workers as someone who "cared a lot about all of us".

"This news about Barbara has come to all of us as a great shock," Smith Family CEO Lisa O'Brien said in a statement to AAP.

"Our thoughts are with her husband, children, grandchildren, extended family and her friends, we can only imagine what they are going through."

Lifeguards were able to save her husband Ivan, 75, who was also caught in the dangerous conditions.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was providing consular assistance to the woman's family, but could not comment further due to privacy issues.