A young Australian tradie has died while swimming with friends off an island in Thailand.

Corey Walsh, 22, was reportedly pulled under water near Ko Racha Yai, south of Phuket, last Tuesday.

The plumber from Melbourne was dragged out of the water and given CPR but he could not be saved.

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Loved ones have paid tribute to the young man on social media, remembering Walsh as “one of a kind”.

“The way you lit up every room you walked into or any job site you were on was something I’ve never seen before,” Zack Williams said.

“There was seriously not a time you didn’t have a smile on your face and the way you could bring everyone else’s mood up so quickly was insane. You were one of the most selfless people I know.

“Every single one of our memories, I will cherish and hold onto forever.”

Jimmy Matcham described Walsh as a “beautiful soul”.

“(Walsh was) a bloke you could talk to about stuff and not be judged.

“A loving, caring and all-round soldier. You will be very much missed my little dude. Love you heaps mate. Until we meet again.”

The Department of Foreign Affairs said it was providing consular assistance to the family.

“We send our deepest condolences to the family at this difficult time,” it said.

“Owing to our privacy obligations, we are unable to provide further comment.”

A GoFundMe has been organised to help Walsh’s family.