A Russian tourist swept away by waves while taking selfies has been found dead this morning off the coast of a popular Thai island following a three-day search.

Iurii Smoian, 32, and three other male Russian friends rode their motorcycles to Promthep Cape on Phuket to go sightseeing on May 12.

The group - seen on CCTV walking across the road towards the beach - had clambered on rocks near the shore to take photos, but were struck by a large wave.

Two people were submerged underwater. One of them battled his way back to dry land, but Iurii had gone missing.

Following a three-day search, authorities found his body floating around 200 metres off Kalim Beach after being notified by a local fisherman on May 14 afternoon.

Rawai Subdistrict rescuers retrieved the bloated cadaver, which was confirmed by the stricken Russian tourists to be their friend Iurii. He was wearing the same clothes - now torn - the day he disappeared.

Iurii's body was taken to the Vachira Phuket Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Local mayor Arun Soros in the Rawai district of the town said he received a report about the incident at 9:30 AM. He ordered rescue teams, tourist police, marine police, and divers to scour the seas for the missing backpacker, while the tourists also lent their commercial drones to aid the search.

The mayor said: 'In this case, the tourists were sitting on the rocks when the incident happened. They were just enjoying themselves and taking pictures when it happened.'

Officials urged tourists to avoid venturing into the sea when the waves are choppy.