Phuket, May 10 – In a tragic end to a three-day search, rescue workers recovered the lifeless body of an Australian tourist this morning near Freedom Beach, where he was last seen entering the treacherous waters days earlier.

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The grim discovery came at daybreak when beach staff spotted the fully-clothed body drifting near the shoreline – a secluded stretch of coast notorious for its strong currents. Karon Police confirmed the deceased matched the description of “Mr. A,” the 34-year-old Melbourne man reported missing by his Patong hotel on Friday after failing to return from a solo beach excursion.

Police Colonel Narongchai Klahan revealed disturbing details. Initial examination suggests that death occurred 72 hours earlier, there are no visible signs of trauma or foul play and his wallet and passport were found intact in his waterproof pouch.

“This was his first overseas trip,” wept a woman claiming to be family via Facebook. “He texted ‘the water looks perfect’ right before…” Her post was later deleted.

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The Australian Consulate is coordinating with Thai authorities for repatriation while toxicology tests are pending. Meanwhile, exasperated expat volunteers have begun painting new safety warnings on boulders along the deadly coastline.

-Thailand News (TN)