A retired German policeman has been found dead in his home in Thailand.

Axel Schutt, 65, was living alone in the one-storey detached house in Chonburi province before his body was discovered on March 21. Police believe he had been dead for around 10 days.

Lieutenant Colonel Paiboon Laohanawat of the Sattahip Police Station was informed of his death at around 8:30 PM on Tuesday.

Axel's Thai sister-in-law Wilai Behrens, 68, said he was a former cop in Germany who had moved to Thailand because he loved the country. She said he lived alone in the Southeast Asian nation while his wife and child resided in Germany.

Wilai and Axel last met on March 6 when he visited her home.

However, several days later the retiree's wife called her to check on the German national as he could not be reached.

Wilai went to his house, but returned home after receiving no response. Axel's neighbour called her afterwards, saying a foul stench was emanating from the property.

Frightened to check alone, Wilai hurriedly called police to inspect the house together. They entered and found Axel in a grey shirt and shorts lying face down in the kitchen, his body already decaying.

A brief investigation found no wounds on Axel's body, and no indications of forced entry or theft. It is believed he passed away due to a chronic illness which was not specified.

His body has been sent to the Institute of Forensic Medicine for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Officers were contacting his family to arrange the retrieval of his remains.