A Chinese tourist swept away by strong waves was found dead after a five-day search along a beach in Thailand.

Qin Yuan, 27, allegedly ignored weather warnings to go swimming, but was dragged away by rough seas from Karon Beach in Phuket on July 25 evening.

He was finally found on Monday morning, July 29, lying face-down on rocks near the shoreline of Freedom Beach - around five miles from where he disappeared.

Police Captain Surasak Sudmuang of the Karon Police Station said a local fisherman, Porndanai Kingcham, reported the discovery to the police at around 9 am.

He said: 'The man was wearing a black t-shirt and sky blue shorts. His body had begun to bloat and was emitting a foul stench from decomposition.'

Officers collected Qin Yuan's body and transported it to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death. He will then be handed over to his family for funeral arrangements.

A week before Qin Yuan's drowning, an Indian tourist had also drowned at Karon beach.

Kartik Dudi, 20, allegedly defied the weather warnings, but was overwhelmed by the choppy waters on July 20.

Lifeguards were able to rescue him, though he was reported to be in critical condition at the Chalong Hospital.

Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation reported that nine people, including five foreign tourists, have drowned this year in Phuket.

The sea along the coast of Thailand is most dangerous between June and October when the country is going through its annual monsoon rainy season.