Wichit Police were notified at about 12:30pm after the man was discovered dead on his yacht, ‘Synergy’, which was anchored offshore in Wichit.
The man was identified as Nicosia-born British-Australian dual national Graham Tucker.
Pol Lt Watcharakorn Suwan, Deputy Investigator at Wichit Police Station, reported the death to Pol Col Somsak Thongkliang, Superintendent of Wichit Police, before coordinating with Phuket Provincial Forensic officers and a forensic pathologist from Vachira Phuket Hospital to examine the scene.
Police said the deceased was found lying face-up on a mattress in a bedroom at the bow of the yacht. No visible wounds were found on the body, and investigators reported no signs of a struggle or ransacking on board the vessel, police noted.
A forensic pathologist estimated that death occurred approximately one to two days before the body was discovered. The cause of death remains unknown pending further examination.
Mr Matthias Lepke, 54, a German national and friend of Mr Tucker who lives on a nearby yacht, told police he became concerned when he had not seen his friend and went to check the vessel shortly before noon yesterday.
Upon entering the cabin, he discovered the body and immediately alerted staff at a nearby resort, who then contacted police.
Local vendors along Khao Khad Beach told officers that Mr Tucker had lived alone on the yacht for about 10 years and regularly travelled by sea between Phuket and Malaysia.
After documenting the scene and completing a preliminary post-mortem examination, forensic officers transported the body to Vachira Phuket Hospital for further medical examination to determine the cause of death.
Wichit Police confirmed that the British and Australian embassies will be notified so the deceased’s relatives can be informed and arrangements made for religious and funeral rites.