PHUKET: A German man died in the water off an island in Krabi province yesterday - soon after arriving for a visit earlier that day.

Martin Hofstetter, 58, was determined to be dead soon after he was pulled from the sea off Koh Sriboya, an island close to the Krabi mainland just north of the better-known Koh Lanta.

Police say Mr Hofstetter's son-in-law alerted locals after Mr Hofstetter threw a hand in the air and called for help.

A canoe that responded to the call could not manage to pull Mr Hofstetter on board because of his size.

Mr Hofstetter appeared to have been caught in a current that carried him away from shore. Officials have yet to determine whether his death was due to drowning or a heart attack.

The German embassy has been informed, police said. Mr Hofstetter's body is at Krabi Hospital.