SURAT THANI - A man's body was found in the sea between Koh Tao and Koh Pha-ngan on Tuesday morning and authorities are checking whether it is the Swiss tourist missing since he went snorkeling off Sairee Beach on Saturday.
According to Koh Tao Tourist Police, Suter Hanspeter, 44, had just completed a Dive Master scuba course on the tourist resort island.
Three days before he went missing, he was told by a doctor that he should not swim because it could lead to blindness.
Police said Mr Hanspeter was under stress and did not have any money.
Mr Chaiyan said Suter Hanspeter, 44, went swimming alone off Sairee Beach on Saturday afternoon. He rented snorkeling gear from a shop on the beach and left his passport and personal items there, but did not take a life jacket with him. He did not return to the shop.
Sairee Beach is the same area where two British tourists, Hannah Witheridge and David Miller, were murdered in September.