The search is for 33-year-old Gaurav Mann, confirmed police.
According to a brief report by the Karon Police, officers were informed at 5:05pm that Mr Mann had been swept away from the beach by a strong rip current in front of the Nong Han Park.
Mr Mann was playing in the water with a friend, also an Indian national, at 4:30pm, police said.
The wind and waves were strong while they were playing, said the report.
After about 30 minutes, Mr Mann and his friend became caught in a strong rip current.
They had had entered the water at a section of beach marked with red “no swimming” flags as the surf in that area is too dangerous for swimmers.
A lifeguard was called to help, but could only recover Mr Mann’s friend before Mr Mann was swept away.
The search team, from the Royal Thai Navy Third Area Command emergency rescue centre set up further south along the 3.4-kilometre long beach, are continuing to look for him, The Phuket News was told this afternoon (July 26).