The body was discovered in the canal near the Naga statue, located about halfway along the beach, at about 1pm.
Officers led by Karon Police Chief Pol Col Khundet Na Nong Khai arrived and cordoned off the area while forensic officers inspected the scene.
Officers discovered multiple injuries on the victim, including a wound around the eye, bruises on the left ear and deep cuts on both arms down to the bone.
Other wounds included a wound on the left leg and bruising under the chin, in the mouth, eye sockets, and around the Adam’s apple, indicating the possibility of being struck by a hard object.
The injuries suggested that the victim had been dead for approximately eight hours before being found, police said.
Although photos of the body showed long cuts down both wrists, a forensic doctor at the scene said that the nature of the wounds raised doubts about the possibility of suicide.
Also found at the scene was a black satchel containing the man’s identity documents, including his passport, as well as bank cards and an Apple laptop.
The tourist entered Phuket on Jan 24 on 90-day visa-free status. He later extended his stay by leaving and reentering the country at the Satun Immigration Office, police noted.
Police are now reviewing CCTV footage from the surrounding area and coordinating with local police stations to determine if there have been any reports of a missing person matching the victim’s description.
The investigation into the cause of death is ongoing, with further details to be reported to the Russian embassy.
The man’s body has been taken for further post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.