Police are investigating the mystery death of a tourist found drifting off a beach in Pattaya, Thailand.

Shocked beach-goers stumbled upon the man's body floating face-down in the shallows of Wong Amat Beach during their morning walk at around 7:30 am on November 22. They reported the chilling discovery to the Pattaya City Police Station.

Police Lieutenant Akkraphong Saenputawong, Deputy Chief of Investigation, said the white-skinned man, estimated to be between 50 and 60 years old, was believed to have been dead for around two hours.

He was wearing black swimming trunks and several pieces of jewellery, including a necklace, ring, and watch.

The investigator said: 'We found no signs of a struggle or assault on his body. He has been dead for at least two hours. No identification documents were found.'

Officials said believe the cause of death to be drowning, but added they have not ruled out foul play.

The body was taken to the Police General Hospital Forensic Institute for a post-mortem examination.

The discovery came a few weeks after British businessman Almaric Ghataoura, 43, from Letchworth, drowned in the choppy sea off Phuket island. The Keen grouse shooter reportedly defied warning flags to swim at Karon Beach - only to be dragged away by a powerful rip current.

Beach drownings are a recurring safety concern in Thailand, especially in tourist hotspots like Phuket, Pattaya, and Krabi. The deaths often attributed to strong rip currents, lack of swimming skills, and disregard for warning signages.

The waters are most dangerous during the country's rainy monsoon season, when red flags are placed in beaches to warn of dangerous sea conditions.