Patong Police confirmed that the body of the 28-year-old man*, from California, was discovered near the Coran Beach Bridge at the southern end of Patong at about 1:30pm.
Patong Police Chief Pol Col Chalermchai Hirasawat together with investigators and rescue workers from the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation, arrived at the scene after receiving the report from the Patong Police radio centre.
A friend of the deceased identified the body at the scene.
The body was later transported to Patong Hospital, where a forensic examination will be carried out to confirm the cause of death.
Police said they will coordinate with the US Embassy regarding the case.
Officers declined to comment on whether the death was a drowning.
* The Phuket News is withholding the man’s name until it has been confirmed his next of kin have been notified.