Police were called to the scene, near the Naga Statue about halfway along the beach, at about 6:05pm.
Officers, joined by Karon Police Chief Pol Col Khundet na Nongkhai and Deputy Chief Pol Lt Col Wiwat Chamnankit, along with rescue workers from Karon Municipality and the Phuket Ruam Jai Rescue Foundation arrived to find the body dressed only in light green swimming shorts.
There were no signs of assault or foul play, police noted.
According to the preliminary investigation by police, the man appeared to have gone for a swim and tragically drowned. His body was estimated to have been in the water for at least three hours before being discovered.
The man was set to return to Saudi Arabia today (Sept 2), police also noted.
The man’s body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for further identification and a post-mortem examination to confirm the cause of death.
Local authorities have notified the Embassy of Saudi Arabia of the man’s death.