Lt Thada Sodarak of Chalong Police Station said the body was discovered and reported by a “well wisher”.
There were no visible wounds on the body but Lt Thada said it appeared that the dead man – later identified as Anuwat Kathong, 23, of Phang Nga – may have been murdered.
Mr Anuwat worked for a fishing boat company out of Chalong Bay and lived with his girlfriend in rented accommodation close to the PTT gas station on Chao Fa West Rd.
She told police she had last seen him when he had driven away from their home the previous day on his motorbike.
She and members of his family added that he had no quarrels with anyone and was in good health.
The body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for an autopsy to establish the cause of death.