Thai police have warned tourists about ‘strong waves’ as second Aussie dies

Thailand authorities have issued a warning to tourists after the body of Australian man was found off a popular swimming beach.

Australian tourists have been warned about “strong waves” and sea conditions in Thailand after the body of an Australian man was found floating in waters off a popular swimming beach.

A 41-year-old South Australian, Anthony John Heathcote, was holidaying in Phuket when he was reported missing by his wife on May 7, according to local media.

On Saturday, a body was spotted a Freedom Beach – a popular swimming spot near Patong.

The head lifeguard at the beach alerted authorities about the discovery, with the body seen about 20 metres from the shore, reports Sky News.

Freedom Beach is a popular bay in Phuket, Thailand.

Karon Police Station officers arrived to find the body floating during strong surf conditions.

The man, who was only wearing black underpants when he was found, was pulled from the water by emergency responders using ropes.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Wiwat Chamnankit said the man likely drowned while swimming.

“We believe that the sea currents were too strong for him to swim back to land,” the officer said.

“Tourists should not go in the sea during these conditions when there are strong waves, unless they are with an experienced guide.”

The 41-year-old’s family has been notified his body has been found.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has been contacted for comment.

Australian tourists have been warned about “strong waves” and sea conditions in Thailand after the body of an Australian man was found floating in waters off Freedom Beach - a popular swimming spot in Phuket.

He was the second Australian tourist to have died in Thailand in the past week.

His death follows the drowning of a 22-year-old Melbourne man who was reportedly swimming while intoxicated last week.

Last year, an Australian man died a hero after saving a man in “extreme” surf conditions off a Bali beach.

Craig Laidley, 56, was walking on Balian Beach, Selemadeg, on Bali’s mid-west coast when he jumped into the rough water to save a German swimmer who was calling for help.

The 29-year-old German man, Micro Stalla, survived but Mr Laidley was swept out by the current, which resulted in a search for Perth man for about 36 hours.

Mr Laidley’s body was found two days later on Secret Bay Beach, about 1km west of where he first entered the water, Indonesian police said.

Originally published as Thai police have warned tourists about ‘strong waves’ as second Aussie dies