Patong Police were alerted by Patong Hospital at around 12:25pm and arrived to find the victim, identified as Sergey Lunkin, still covered in sand, indicating he had been brought straight from the beach.
His friend, Natalia Kuzmina, 47, told police the pair had been staying at a nearby hotel since Nov 18 and were due to leave Thailand on Dec 16. Mr Lunkin, she said, swam every morning and had gone for his usual swim earlier in the day.
Ms Kuzmina said she believed he may have been caught in a strong current. She called for lifeguards, who helped pull him from the water and place him on a beach chair and performed CPR while waiting for the Kusoldharm rescue team.
When the rescue team arrived, he was rushed to Patong Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival to hospital.
Ms Natalia said she held no suspicions regarding the cause of death, Patong Police reported.
Police Lt Col Surachat Thongyai of Patong Police Station said Mr Lunkin’s body will be sent to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a medical examination.
He also noted that the Russian Embassy has been notified.