Police were called to Chalong Pier at noon, where the body of 29-year-old Chinese national Zhang Jie had arrived by speedboat.
Maj Wuttiwat Leangboonjinda of the Chalong Police said his team on officers found no sign of foul play or assault on the body.
“He and his wife, Zhang Lei, 28, were on a tour with Nikorn Marine with 21 other tourists,” said Maj Wuttiwat. “The incident happened while everybody else was on the beach during the tour’s rest period at about 10:50 am.
“The victim went into the water alone. He was 10 to 15 metres offshore, swimming with only his goggles on,” Maj Wuttiwat explained.
“The tour guide alerted the others when he noticed that Mr Zhang had stopped moving. They quickly brought him back to shore and attempted to revive him, but it was too late.”
Mr Zhang’s body was taken to Vachira phuket Hospital for doctors to determine the cause of death.