Thai police have captured the man they say is responsible for the brutal murder of a Swedish tourist on the beach of Phuket on Sunday night.

Authorities identified the man as Akradej Pianjay, 32, a fisherman who had moored his boat around Chatchai pier on the day of the murder. He has confessed to the crime and told authorities that he acted alone.

The arrest was made based on eyewitness accounts and evidence linking the man to the case such as scratches seen on his body - a sign of struggle which pointed to his victim desperately trying to fight him off.

His arrest came two days after 27-year-old Swedish tourist Charotta Hanna was found dead on Mai Khao beach with several stab wounds to her body.