Russian man, 22, dies in Patong hotel

A 22-year-old Russian national has died after being found unconscious in a hotel room in Patong, Phuket, early on 22 July. The cause of Vitaly Nikolaev's death has not yet been established and his body has been sent for a detailed post-mortem examination.

Police were alerted at about 5.10am by the Patong Police Station radio centre, which reported that a foreign guest had been found in a room at a hotel on Phang Mueang Sai Kor Road in Patong, Kathu district.

Police Lieutenant Narinn Bilson, a deputy inspector at Patong Police Station, informed station chief Police Colonel Krokrit Khankhuea before travelling to the hotel with relevant officers.

Emergency treatment at the hotel

Officers found Mr Nikolaev, a Russian citizen, unconscious in the room. Rescue workers from the Phuket Kusoldharm Foundation were providing initial assistance and detected signs of life at the time.

An ambulance from Patong Hospital was called and took him to the emergency department for treatment. He later died, although authorities have not stated when his death was confirmed.

Police said the precise cause remains unknown. Mr Nikolaev's body has been transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital for an autopsy to establish how he died.

Embassy and relatives to be contacted

Investigators are coordinating with Tourist Police, Immigration Police and the Russian Embassy to notify Mr Nikolaev's relatives and arrange for the body to be collected for religious rites.

The investigating officer will continue with the legal procedures required in the case.

Post-mortem examination pending

Deaths involving foreign nationals in Thailand commonly require coordination between local police, immigration and the relevant embassy, particularly where relatives abroad need to be informed and arrangements made for repatriation or funeral rites.

No further details about Mr Nikolaev's stay, his condition before he was found, or any findings from the hotel room were included in the initial police report.

Picture courtesy of Amarin

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23 July 2026