A Thai man has drowned at a beach in Sydney’s east.

Police said they were called to Maroubra Beach about 1.30am (AEDT) Sunday after the 23-year-old vanished while swimming.

Police officers and PolAir launched a search for the man and a short time later he was pulled from the water.

Paramedics tried to resuscitate him and he was taken to Prince of Wales Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A police officer was also taken to hospital for treatment and was later released.