A young Maldivian man has died in Thailand while under police custody for drug trafficking.

Maldives Police Service said the deceased was Ibrahim Nabeeh Naseem. He was arrested at Don Mueang Airport on February 22.

Police confirmed that Nabeeh died while in Thai police custody, but did not say the cause of his death.

In Thailand, an autopsy is generally required by law for suspicious deaths and specifically for deaths in police custody.

The incident is being investigated by the relevant authorities.

Thailand is a popular holiday destination for Maldivians and some Maldivians have been arrested in the past in drug cases in the country.

Thailand is a country used by traffickers to smuggle drugs produced in East Asia's Golden Triangle.