Body of Thai man found in Waikato River

Waikato police have identified the body found in the Waikato River this morning as belonging to a Hamilton man of Thai descent. Photo / File

Police are treating the discovery of a young Asian man found dead in the Waikato River as unexplained as they call for sightings of the man.

Waikato police Detective Senior Sergeant Nigel Keall said they have identified the man as a 31-year-old Hamilton man of Thai descent.

The man's body was found in the river at 7.50am today by a member of the public who was out for a walk.

"The body was found approximately 200 metres north of the Hamilton Rowing Club. The deceased has been identified as a 31 year-old Hamilton man of Thai descent. He was wearing black shoes, black trousers and a black short sleeved shirt."

Police are currently treating the death as unexplained and are investigating the circumstances that led up to man being found in the river.

A post mortem will be completed on Monday morning and police are in the process of notifying his next of kin.

"Police are appealing for sightings of the man between 10:30pm and early this morning, and of any suspicious behaviour in the area."

Anyone with information can contact Hamilton Police on (07) 858 6200 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The discovery caused a slight delay to the start of the weekend's annual Bridge to Bridge Water Ski Classic event as the man's body was retrieved from the water.