A BRITISH yacht owner has been found dead aboard his vessel in Thailand.
The shock discovery has thrust a quiet corner of Phuket into the centre of a troubling investigation.
The 69-year-old man – who also held Australian nationality – had not been seen for several days, prompting concern.
Sadly, his body was discovered on his yacht anchored off Khao Khad beach on January 11.
Authorities boarded the Synergy Sydney vessel, which was moored opposite the Veranda Resort Phuket hotel.
The victim was found lying in a bedroom in the bow of the ship
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Police say the body had “significantly decomposed”.
Officers suggest that it indicates he likely had been dead for around two days.
Despite the disturbing scene, investigators said there was no signs of a struggle.
Police Lieutenant Watcharakorn Suwan said: “Regarding the reported news, we were informed by a hotel employee.
“We are currently investigating, gathering evidence, and awaiting autopsy results to determine the cause of death.
“We have not ruled out the possibility of an unnatural death.”
The discovery was made after a German friend of the yacht owner became worried about his whereabouts.
Matthias Lepke, 54, went to check on the “unusually quiet” vessel before finding his friend’s corpse at 12.30pm.
He immediately alerted staff at the Veranda Resort.
Locals said the victim had been living on his yacht for around a decade, often travelling back and forth between Malaysia and Phuket.
Police have since collected evidence from the scene and transported the body to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Both the British and Australian embassies have been notified so the deceased’s family can be informed.
The Sun has approached the Foreign Office for comment.
The case adds to a growing list of unexplained deaths of Britons in the region.
Back in 2024, a former British kickboxing champion died in mysterious circumstances.
Offshore oil rig supervisor Steven Russell, 45, was found dead in a pool of blood at his home, northeast of Bangkok, just before Christmas.
Unfortunately, the Thai police were never able to find out what happened.