The body of the man, who is estimated to be between 25 and 30 years old, was found tied to a tree at the Saphan Pla Pier, east of Phuket Town, with severe head injuries. Police have not been able to identify the man but believe he was murdered.
A broken bottle and a hefty piece of wood were found nearby, and are believed to be the murder weapons.
Police suspect the man may have been involved in a business conflict, or a conflict among illegal immigrant workers.