LANGKAWI: The body of a Thai national was found floating after he was reported to have drowned on Sunday (June 27) while picking clams at Pantai Pasir Berdengung at Jalan Kuala Muda here.

       Langkawi OCPD Asst Comm Shariman Ashari said the body of the 54-year-old victim, identified as Chamlong Onthari, was found around 11am on Monday (June 28) about one nautical mile from the place he left his plastic pail at the beach.

       "The place where the victim was looking for clams was a private theme park that had been not operating for many years," he said in a statement on Monday (June 28).

       ACP Shariman said the victim's body was found by a Civil Defence Force team.

       He said the body was sent to Sultanah Maliha Hospital for a post-mortem.

       "The search and rescue (SAR) operation ended at about noon," he said, adding that a total of 48 officers and personnel from various agencies were involved in the operation.

       The victim was believed to have gone to the beach to look for clams at about 9am but after not returning after six hours, his employer suspected something amiss and lodged a report to the police.

       An emergency action control post had been set up by the police and Fire and Rescue Department at the location for the SAR operation.