Unidentified body found on NZ-registered yacht

Thai police are trying to identify the body of a man found on a New Zealand-registered yacht in Phuket.

The Phuket News reports that the yacht is the Waitane II, and police believe the man died about 10 days before his body was discovered.

An ANZ credit card was found on the vessel but there was no photographic ID which could be used to identify the man.

A local hotel worker discovered the body.

"He said that he boarded and inspected the yacht after noticing a stench emanating from the vessel, and that's when he found the body and immediately called the police," said Maj Thada Sodarat of the Thai police.

Local police said there were no signs of a struggle.

The body has been taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital to allow doctors to confirm the cause of death.