Picture courtesy of Khaosod

A 70-year-old British-Australian national has been found dead aboard his private yacht anchored off the coast of Phuket, prompting a police investigation and forensic examination to determine the cause of death. The body was discovered in the early afternoon of Saturday, 11 January 2026, after concerns were raised by a friend when the man could not be contacted. Authorities believe he had been dead for at least one to two days before he was found.

Police from Wichit Police Station were alerted at around 12.30pm after reports of a deceased foreign man on a private yacht named SYNERGY. The vessel was anchored offshore near Khao Khad Beach, opposite the Veranda Resort, in Wichit sub-district, Mueang Phuket district. Investigators coordinated with Phuket forensic officers and doctors from Vachira Phuket Hospital to attend the scene.

The deceased was later identified as Mr Graham Tucker, aged 70, who held dual British and Australian nationality. He was found lying on his back on a mattress in the bedroom at the bow of the yacht. The body was reported as swollen, stiff and discoloured, with peeling skin, but there were no visible injuries, signs of a struggle, or evidence of a search or theft on board.

A preliminary assessment by forensic doctors estimated that Mr Tucker had been dead for approximately one to two days. At this stage, the exact cause of death remains unknown. His body was transported to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a full post-mortem examination to establish definitive findings.

Police interviewed Mr Matthias Lepke, a 54-year-old German national and friend of the deceased, who lives on a nearby yacht. He told officers that at around noon on 11 January he realised Mr Tucker had been quiet for some time and could not be reached. When he went to check the yacht, he found his friend deceased and immediately informed hotel staff in the area.

Local residents and vendors operating near Khao Khad Beach told police that Mr Tucker had lived alone on the yacht for around ten years. They said he regularly travelled by yacht between Malaysia and Phuket and was a familiar presence in the area.

Khoasod reported that investigators documented the scene and collected photographic evidence before removing the body for further examination. Police confirmed that the Australian and British embassies will be notified so that relatives can be informed and arrangements made for repatriation if required.

Key Takeaways

• A 70-year-old British-Australian man was found dead on his private yacht off Phuket on 11 January 2026.

• Police found no signs of violence or theft, and the cause of death is still unknown.

• The body has been sent for post-mortem examination, and embassies will contact the family.

  

Adapted by ASEAN Now from Khaosod 2026-01-12

 

 

Lucky guy, sounds like he died peacefully in his sleep after a life doing something he loved.

I hope he just crawled into bed for a nap and died in his sleep. RIP Mr Tucker.

Them Yachties are a special bread he wasn't leaving his boat,

12 minutes ago, ChipButty said:

Them Yachties are a special bread he wasn't leaving his boat,

And now he's 'brown bread'.

RIP

8 minutes ago, chickenslegs said:

And now he's 'brown bread'.

RIP

Are you proud of that sick comment?

If not then why did you make it?

Just now, scottiejohn said:

Are you proud of that sick comment?

If not then why did you make it?

*breed, not bread,

It was a joke - not about a dead man, but about a misspelling.