A French tourist was rescued while a Senegalese holidaymaker drowned when they ignored red flags to go swimming in the sea during stormy weather in Thailand.

Boualem Yoram Machraoui, 22, from France, and his friend Cheikhouna Ba, 22, from Senegal, were playing in the surf on Freedom Beach in Phuket at noon on July 28 when they were dragged away by the strong currents.

Lifeguards managed to help the French tourist to shore, but Cheikhouna was swept out to sea.

Phuket Tourist Police, along with local authorities and staff from the Tourist Assistance Centre, conducted a search and rescue operation for the missing tourist at 3 pm. However, the searc was suspended as night fell.

They resumed on July 29 and continued until Cheikhouna's body was washed ashore on Freedom Beach on July 30. Police Lieutenant Colonel Boonserm Klaewwatee of the Karon Police Station, doctors, and rescue crew investigated the scene.

Cheikhouna's remains have been recovered and sent to the Vachira Phuket Hospital for a post-mortem examination. He is believed to have drowned as there were no wounds on his body.

Officials said he had been staying in Thailand on an education visa, and was allowed in the country until September 21.

Authorities said the pair had been staying at the Hotel Tide Phuket, and went to the beach at 8 am on July 28 despite the red flags hoisted warning of inclement weather.

Following the incident, Lieutenant Jadet Vachirasorn, Tambon Karon mayor, said lifeguards at various beaches were instructed to be vigilant of the weather to protect tourists.

Police said they were contacting Cheikhouna's friends to confirm his identity.

Thailand and neighbouring countries in Southeast Asia are in their annual monsoon rainy season which sees soaring temperatures followed by powerful rain storms in the afternoon leading to widespread flash floods.