An Australian tourist drowned in Thailand when he dived into the sea while he was drunk.

Cory John Walsh, 22, from Melbourne, downed bottles of beer before reportedly jumping off the Marinda 2 tour boat to swim off the coast of holiday island Phuket on May 6.

He tried to paddle in the water but found himself struggling as the alcohol impaired his stamina. Horrified tourists watched as the current dragged him under the surface.

Medics were dispatched to the scene near Racha Yai island after receiving a distress call from the boat operator at 2:28 pm local time. They found Cory unconscious on the deck and performed CPR.

Upon detecting a pulse, they then rushed the Aussie to the Chalong Hospital. However, he was pronounced dead at 3:53 pm.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Kanen Somrak of Chalong Police Station said: ‘The victim is an Australian national named Cory John Walsh. There were seven foreign tourists, including the deceased.

‘The victim had consumed a large amount of alcohol before entering the water. He was reportedly intoxicated and repeatedly jumped in and out of the sea before eventually drowning.

‘No illegal substances were found at the scene. Only empty alcohol beverage bottles were discovered.'

Authorities have contacted the Australian embassy to inform Cory's family of his death. His body was kept at the Vachira Phuket Hospital as officials arrange for his repatriation.

Drownings are a recurring safety concern in Thailand, especially in tourist hotspots like Phuket, Pattaya, and Krabi. The deaths are 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.