Picture courtesy of Khaosod.

 

A 54-year-old British tourist has been found dead on a beach on the Thai island of Koh Phangan, with authorities confirming that she likely drowned after going for a late-night swim while intoxicated.

 

The body of Ms Alison, a UK national who had been staying on the island for about a month, was discovered early on the morning of Tuesday 3 June by a local man out for a morning walk on Chao Phao Beach, close to her rented bungalow. She was found wearing only an orange bra, with the matching underwear having washed ashore nearby. Police reported no signs on the body of violence or struggle.

 

Lieutenant Colonel Apichat Chansamret, head of Koh Phangan Police Station, led the initial investigation, accompanied by a doctor from Koh Phangan Hospital. The scene was secured while a rescue unit from the Koh Phangan Kusonsraddha Foundation transported the body for autopsy.

 

Medical examiners later confirmed that sand and seawater were found in the woman’s lungs, indicating drowning as the cause of death.

 

Investigations revealed that Ms Alison had been staying at a bungalow near the beach since early May, with her check-out scheduled for 11 June. Staff at the accommodation told police she was a regular drinker. On the evening of 2 June, she had been seen consuming alcohol before heading to the beach to swim alone.

 

A concerning incident had also occurred earlier that same day, when the woman reportedly fell and hit her head outside a local convenience store. Although bystanders offered assistance and helped her back to her accommodation, she refused medical treatment at the time.

 

Police found her room undisturbed, with her passport and personal belongings intact. Officials have contacted the British Embassy in Bangkok to begin the process of notifying her next of kin.

 

Authorities have ruled out foul play but will await final autopsy report before closing the case.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-06-03.

 

 

 

5 minutes ago, Georgealbert said:

A concerning incident had also occurred earlier that same day, when the woman reportedly fell and hit her head outside a local convenience store. Although bystanders offered assistance and helped her back to her accommodation, she refused medical treatment at the time.

Delayed concussion?

18 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

A concerning incident had also occurred earlier that same day, when the woman reportedly fell and hit her head outside a local convenience store. Although bystanders offered assistance and helped her back to her accommodation, she refused medical treatment at the time.

Then later after a few bevvies decides to go for a swim...

18 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

a late-night swim while intoxicated.

 

I would 100% understand and feel terrible if between the ages of 0 and 35.    54?????????   Possibly suicide.  If not, well, sooner or later a bad decision will be costly.    you really gotta know better at 54.   

4 minutes ago, Quentin Zen said:

 

I would 100% understand and feel terrible if between the ages of 0 and 35.    54?????????   Possibly suicide.  If not, well, sooner or later a bad decision will be costly.    you really gotta know better at 54.   

Well, maybe intoxicated not only by alc but weed and other things.

Combined with stupidity not the best future as you see.

Off topic troll post removed @Yagoda

So how do they know it was a late night swim and that she was intoxicated as far as I am aware the local hospital on the island which I have visited many times does not have the facilities to determine her death or what was the content in her body 

19 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

She was found wearing only an orange bra, with the matching underwear having washed ashore nearby. Police reported no signs on the body of violence or struggle.

 

It seems rather suspicious that her undies weren't on.

 

Trolling post and replies to it, removed

1 minute ago, impulse said:

 

It seems rather suspicious that her undies weren't on.

 

 

1 minute ago, impulse said:

 

It seems rather suspicious that her undies weren't on.

 

Thinking the same thing. A  rough surf can undress people but it could also be someone forced themselves on her and drowned her as she fought him off. A full autopsy needs to be done .

15 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

18 minutes ago, impulse said:

It seems rather suspicious that her undies weren't on.

Thinking the same thing. A  rough surf can undress people but it could also be someone forced themselves on her and drowned her as she fought him off. A full autopsy needs to be done .

 

The OP photo doesn't show the kind of surf that would rip the shorts off a swimmer.

 

2 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

The OP photo doesn't show the kind of surf that would rip the shorts off a swimmer.

 

True, it was after it happened so it could be low tide and smooth. They would have to see what the surf was like the night before.

3 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

True, it was after it happened so it could be low tide and smooth. They would have to see what the surf was like the night before.

 

Out of curiosity, are the locally done autopsies trustworthy, or are they skewed toward protecting tourism? 

 

If she were my family member, I'd want an autopsy by an independent agency.

 

 

1 minute ago, impulse said:

 

Out of curiosity, are the locally done autopsies trustworthy, or are they skewed toward protecting tourism? 

 

If she were my family member, I'd want an autopsy by an independent agency.

 

 

Yes, we have no idea what's done here and I'm thinking the family would want an autopsy done to rule out any foul play. I know I would.

Rape kit?

 

I wouldn't rule out shark attack.

 

RIP young lady.

2 minutes ago, Woke to Sounds said:

I wouldn't rule out shark attack.

 

RIP young lady.

Which is very obvious instead of water in the lungs from drowning. 

Not found wearing bikini bottoms. I find that very suspicious. Let's hope they do a proper autopsy. Police don't think foul play involved. I think it quite possible it is. Just because there is water in her lungs does not mean she was not murdered. 

1 hour ago, crazykopite said:

So how do they know it was a late night swim and that she was intoxicated as far as I am aware the local hospital on the island which I have visited many times does not have the facilities to determine her death or what was the content in her body 

Dna test pants were off.

3 hours ago, impulse said:

 

Out of curiosity, are the locally done autopsies trustworthy, or are they skewed toward protecting tourism? 

 

If she were my family member, I'd want an autopsy by an independent agency.

 

 

They do great post-mortems and investigations on adjacent Koh Tao. 

Koh Tao is not far... the place infamous for deaths... hmmm

6 hours ago, Quentin Zen said:

 

I would 100% understand and feel terrible if between the ages of 0 and 35.    54?????????   Possibly suicide.  If not, well, sooner or later a bad decision will be costly.    you really gotta know better at 54.   

 

With respect, not if she was an alcoholic (perhaps registered as such in her own country)!

13 hours ago, impulse said:

 

It seems rather suspicious that her undies weren't on.

 

The sniffer dogs confiscated them

22 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

Well, maybe intoxicated not only by alc but weed and other things.

Combined with stupidity not the best future as you see.

If she had consumed some weed, she would have been too lazy to go swimming.

16 minutes ago, gjoo888 said:

If she had consumed some weed, she would have been too lazy to go swimming.

Maybe the mixture of all

R.I.P. Lady.

Condolences to family and friends.