The drowning victim, Mr Nak Ki Choi, had reportedly been swimming at “Ao Sam had” (as in the three-beach cove) for a duration of about 10 minutes before family and friends nearby noticed something was wrong.
"He just stopped moving," one family member said.
The victim's relatives said that Nak Ki had a heart condition and when they saw him motionless in the water, they rushed in to retrieve his body.
First aid was administered before the victim was rushed to Phi Phi hospital.
Pol Lt Weesapan Kongphul confirmed that the victim's heart condition caused him to drown and is in the process of notifying the Korean embassy.