CHONBURI/PHUKET — Thai authorities are investigating the deaths of two foreign tourists, one American and one Austrian, in unrelated cases at popular resort destinations in Chonburi and Phuket.
American man found dead in Chonburi hotel
Police in Chonburi’s Sattahip district said a 69-year-old American man, identified as Walsh, was found dead under unusual circumstances inside his locked hotel room on December 1. Officers discovered his body in the bathroom with a plastic bag over his head and his hands cuffed behind his back. There were no signs of a struggle in the room, investigators said.
Hotel security cameras showed the man checking in alone at 4:14 p.m. after parking his pickup truck in the rear lot. CCTV cameras on the sixth floor, where his room was located, were not working at the time, police said.
Forensic officers collected fingerprints from the room, the handcuffs and the plastic bag. The body was sent to the Police General Hospital’s forensic institute to determine the cause of death. The investigation is ongoing.
Austrian tourist collapses, dies in Phuket
In Phuket, a 62-year-old Austrian tourist died early Tuesday after collapsing in his hotel room in the Karon area, police said.
The man had been staying at the hotel with his wife since November 21 and was due to check out on December 6. His wife told police they had dinner in Kata the night before and he appeared healthy. She said he stayed up drinking beer and smoking while she went to bed.
Around 5:30 a.m., she was awakened by his loud coughing. She said he became restless, paced briefly and collapsed near the balcony door. Hotel staff were called for help, but he was unresponsive by the time assistance arrived.
His wife told investigators he had long-term high blood pressure and had been on medication for about a decade. His body was taken to Vachira Phuket Hospital for autopsy.
Police in both provinces said investigations are continuing.
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