Report Danish Tourist Found Dead in Patong Rental Amid Health Concerns

[snoop1130]

Picture courtesy of Eakkapop Thongtub

 

In a tragic turn of events, a 66-year-old Danish tourist was found dead in a bathroom of a rental property on Nanai Road in Patong on the evening of 8th June. The man, visiting from Copenhagen, had arrived on the picturesque island of Phuket on 3rd June for what was intended to be a relaxing getaway. His trip quickly turned concerning as he developed symptoms of diarrhoea, fatigue, and a noticeable lack of appetite shortly after his arrival.

 

It was reported by those residing with him that his health appeared to decline steadily, with fatigue setting deeper by the day. According to witnesses, on the day of his death, the tourist had been engaging in friendly conversation outside the accommodation throughout the morning. During this time, he appeared quieter and more reserved than on his previous visit to the area last year, when he was reportedly in much better spirits and health.

 

The well-liked Danish national excused himself to use the bathroom but, after an extended period, failed to return. Growing concern led a friend to check on him, only to find him unresponsive on the bathroom floor. Emergency services were swiftly contacted, and the scene was attended by officers from the Patong Police, led by Lieutenant Colonel Chomphonuch Anantayakun, as well as forensic officials and responders from the Kusoldharm Phuket Foundation.

 

Initial forensic assessments suggested no signs of struggle, ruling out foul play as a likely cause. Vachira Phuket Hospital's forensic officers observed no visible injuries on the body, estimating his death to have occurred three to four hours before being discovered. Given the circumstances, authorities are moving forward with plans for a comprehensive medical examination to pinpoint the exact cause of death.

 

The authorities have kept the Danish Embassy in Thailand informed, ensuring that the deceased's family is aware and supported during this challenging time. Community leaders and local residents have expressed their condolences, with many speaking of the kindness and positive attitude the tourist exhibited on previous visits.

 

As investigations continue, attention has turned to understanding whether his illness prior to death was the result of local conditions or health issues carried from Denmark. Patong Police have indicated that they are examining all possibilities, including whether food or water consumption may have played a role in his sudden illness.

 

This unforeseen and saddening development underscores the need for holidaymakers to maintain vigilance regarding their health while travelling, particularly in foreign environments where food, climate, and habits differ from those back home. Community health professionals are urging visitors and locals alike to seek medical advice early if unusual symptoms develop, to avoid potential complications.

 

The tourist's sudden passing has left his friends and the local community in shock. While Phuket is renowned for its serene beaches and vibrant nightlife, this incident serves as a sombre reminder of the unpredictabilities that can arise, highlighting the importance of health awareness during travel.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-09

 

 

[KhaoHom]

Sad. Given symptoms dengue can be ruled out. It's astonishing to me how sensitive tourists / many farang are to heat, food and hygiene issues.

 

I'll eat almost anything and routinely drink water/ ice shops and hawkers keep in ice boxes. The abundance of portable water in the country. The notion of him getting something like giardiasis boggles. I tried to pick up some of the medicine 15-20 years ago before heading to India and Thailand simply didn't even stock it as a disease doesn't exist in any meaningful way.

 

If he had diarrhea it really must be food or water. Autopsy should be able to tell quickly

[Formaleins]

Hang on a minute, am I missing something here? The guy is polite, well mannered but was looking a bit "ILL" so the people "residing with him" left him to die in the bloody toilet on his own for up to 4 hours - Who needs friends?

[LeRoux]

20 hours ago, KhaoHom said:

Sad. Given symptoms dengue can be ruled out. It's astonishing to me how sensitive tourists / many farang are to heat, food and hygiene issues.

 

I'll eat almost anything and routinely drink water/ ice shops and hawkers keep in ice boxes. The abundance of portable water in the country. The notion of him getting something like giardiasis boggles. I tried to pick up some of the medicine 15-20 years ago before heading to India and Thailand simply didn't even stock it as a disease doesn't exist in any meaningful way.

 

If he had diarrhea it really must be food or water. Autopsy should be able to tell quickly

His own slow reaction seems to have been his undoing.  Sounds like an over-reaction to a local bacteria, and then no actions taken to ward off dehydration.  If others noticed it was a slow onset, with time to react.

[KhaoHom]

2 minutes ago, LeRoux said:

His own slow reaction seems to have been his undoing.  Sounds like an over-reaction to a local bacteria, and then no actions taken to ward off dehydration.  If others noticed it was a slow onset, with time to react.

 

You're probably not far off. It's just absolutely amazing how fast he slipped. I recall in my late 40s I carried around giardiasis for 2 months waiting to get treated back in the States. He appears to be a fairly young and strong individual.

 

**If you ever contract this waterborne disease just get it treated wherever you are in Asia. Waiting was both expensive and not good for my health

[KhaoHom]

2 hours ago, Formaleins said:

Hang on a minute, am I missing something here? The guy is polite, well mannered but was looking a bit "ILL" so the people "residing with him" left him to die in the bloody toilet on his own for up to 4 hours - Who needs friends?

 

You don't know the story you weren't there. I'm sure the friends were saying are you okay are you okay and he was saying I'm okay I'm okay until he wasn't okay

[LeRoux]

4 minutes ago, KhaoHom said:

 

You're probably not far off. It's just absolutely amazing how fast he slipped. I recall in my late 40s I carried around giardiasis for 2 months waiting to get treated back in the States. He appears to be a fairly young and strong individual.

 

**If you ever contract this waterborne disease just get it treated wherever you are in Asia. Waiting was both expensive and not good for my health

I manage a chronic condition that I have that is in this direction, as far as symptoms etc.  /  I, unwillingly learned much more on this topic than I had desired to.

(The main point, always keep an eye on the dehydration.  It will sneak up on you, and its over.  ~ ~ Especially in the case of  Children in your care.)

[KhaoHom]

3 minutes ago, LeRoux said:

I manage a chronic condition that I have that is in this direction, as far as symptoms etc.  /  I, unwillingly learned much more on this topic than I had desired to.

(The main point, always keep an eye on the dehydration.  It will sneak up on you, and its over.  ~ ~ Especially in the case of  Children in your care.)

 

Indeed.

 

I've lived in the heat almost all my life and tolerate it well. I don't feel I need to consume a great deal of water but obviously I drink when I'm thirsty.

 

I had some random health issues that I was able to trace back to being dehydrated and I was a bit surprised.

 

Even more surprising was that even at 1.5L of water I wasn't consuming enough given that I spend time outside.

 

Two and a half to 3 L of water a day is actually inappropriate amount of water intake for someone that is out and about and especially someone that is doing any sort of exercise. This was perhaps at least a leader and maybe one and a half liters more than I was consuming.

 

Now I go out of my way to be fully hydrated and the health issues have disappeared. You need to drink a lot of water out here.

[No Forwarding Address]

Only in country a few days then dies?……maybe ‘deep vein thrombosis’. it is known to kill people days after long flights.  RIP to the Dane.

 

 

[VBF]

37 minutes ago, KhaoHom said:

Two and a half to 3 L of water a day is actually inappropriate amount of water intake.....

Did you mean "actually an appropriate amount of water intake....." ?

Being confused,  I read your post 3 times before I realised the error, possibly caused by spell-check?

 

And if that is what you meant, I agree with you - I drink up to 2L / day in UK where it's certainly not that hot so in Thailand, it's minimum 2.5L 

[KhaoHom]

3 minutes ago, VBF said:

Did you mean "actually an appropriate amount of water intake....." ?

Being confused,  I read your post 3 times before I realised the error, possibly caused by spell-check?

 

And if that is what you meant, I agree with you - I drink up to 2L / day in UK where it's certainly not that hot so in Thailand, it's minimum 2.5L 

 

Yeah sorry. I'm using speech to text and it doesn't do a very good job. Great catch. Appreciate you read it a few times as well 👍

[KhaoHom]

Thaiger bothered to print it let's see if they bother to follow up the story 🤔🙄