PHUKET - The body of a dead South Korean woman washed ashore on Patong beach early on Wednesday morning and her Korean boyfriend is missing, police said.
The woman was found lying face-down on Patong Beach, near Thaweewong Road in Kathu district around 5am, police said.
Pol Maj Pathapee Srichai, investigation chief at Patong police station, said the woman was naked with only a black bra snagged around her neck.
There was no sign of bruising or other injury. No clothing or belongings of the victim were found on the beach, Thai media reported.
Her body was sent to Patong Hospital for a post-mortem examination into the cause of death.
Police found out that the woman, aged 28, was staying at a hotel on Patong beach with her South Korean boyfriend, also 28, who was missing. Police checked their hotel room, but found no trace of him.
Investigators speculated the couple may have gone swimming together late on Tuesday night. There was heavy rain and a rough sea in the area at the time and they both might have drowned. The strong tides could have torn off the woman's clothing.
A police team was trying to track down the missing man. Their names were withheld pending notification of relatives.
