DFAT confirms Aussie's death in Thailand

An Australian man has died in Thailand, authorities have confirmed.

Thai police say the tourist was killed while swimming off a beach on the southern resort island of Koh Samui.

"The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade can confirm that it has received official notification from Thai authorities of the death of an Australian man in Koh Samui," a spokeswoman told AAP on Sunday.

Authorities say they will not release any more information about the death out of respect to his family.

A Chinese tourist also died in a separate swimming accident off the same beach, according to Thai police.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Apichart Jansamret said the two died on Saturday while swimming off Chaweng beach during high tide. Two other people were injured.

He said there were "no swimming" signs and red flags in place to warn tourists about the dangers of swimming there.

Koh Samui is a popular destination for foreign tourists in Thailand, which last year hosted a record-high 29 million visitors.