The body found on a beach in Phuket on Friday has been confirmed to be one of the two missing Filipinos.
Val Simon Roque, consul-general from the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok, together with the family of Noah Ibay II, arrived at Phuket City Hall on Saturday to identify and take the body. They were greeted by Phuket governor Pakkapong Tawipat.
Ibay, 39, died of asphyxia from drowning on Freedom Beach in tambon Karon, Muang district, on Friday, according to the death certificate issued by Patong Hospital.
The other missing Filipino is Angelo Cortez, 29. The search for him is ongoing, helped by the photos his parents sent to authorities.
The search area has been expanded and is now a joint operation of authorities from various agencies and rescue workers.
Four Filipinos were reported missing on the beach on Wednesday evening. John Tanghal, 30, and Jose Tanghal, 51, were later found before the body of Ibay was found. They were with a group of 13 Philippine men who had gone surfing at the beach on Wednesday.