GEORGE TOWN, MALAYSIA - A 42-year- old Thai fisherman is believed to have died in a freak accident early on Friday morning.

Southwest district police chief Supt Hatta Mohd Zain said the victim was found on the fishing boat with an anchor rope around his neck.

Hatta said the victim's brother found the victim about 13 nautical miles from Teluk Kumbar after he ventured out to search for the victim.

He said the victim had been out at the sea alone for the past two days and lost contact with the younger brother on a walkie-talkie yesterday.

Hatta said preliminary investigations revealed the cause of death was due to suffocation. Hatta said the victim could have accidentally got entangled when he threw the anchor into sea.