A 53-year-old Singaporean man who was on a holiday in Phuket died on Tuesday after a short swim in the sea, according to a local news report.

Mr Seah Chin Hin reportedly collapsed after swimming in the waters off Koh Khai Nui, in Koh Yao District, Phang Nga, near Phuket island.

He went swimming at about 4.20pm but 10 minutes later went up to a speedboat, and told his son that he had been choking underwater. He then collapsed unconscious, a Phuket City policeman told Phuket News.

The speedboat crew gave first aid and he was sent to a hospital. But Mr Seah was pronounced dead on arrival at the Mission Hospital at 6.10pm, according to the report.

Mr Seah's family have claimed his body and will be flying back to Singapore, it added.

The website also reported that on Thursday, a Korean tourist died in hospital after lifeguards pulled him out of the sea at Karon beach, on Phuket's southwest coast. At the time, the sea there was off limits due to the strong waves.