Picture courtesy of Khaosod 

 

A 28-year-old British tourist has died after being found unconscious at a hotel on Koh Samui, while his friend remains hospitalised, as police investigate possible drug involvement and the disappearance of cash. Officers were alerted in the early hours of Friday, December 19, 2025, after hotel staff found two British men unresponsive at a property in the Chaweng Beach area. Both were taken to hospital, where one was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

 

Police from Bo Phut Police Station said the incident was reported at around 4 a.m., with one man found at the hotel reception and the other inside a guest room. The deceased was later identified as Luke, 28, while his friend, Kris, also 28, survived and is in stable condition. The case has prompted a detailed investigation involving CCTV review, forensic analysis and witness questioning.

 

According to preliminary findings, Kris returned to the shared room at about 2:35 a.m. with a 21-year-old ladyboy he had met at an entertainment venue. Around 30 minutes later, Luke arrived with a Thai man and police said the ladyboy subsequently left the room. Approximately 15 minutes after that, Kris went to the hotel reception to report that about £1,500 in cash was missing, alleging it had been taken by the ladyboy.

 

Police said Kris then collapsed and lost consciousness at reception, prompting staff to call emergency services. Officers later found Luke unconscious in the room and not breathing. He was given CPR before being rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 4:53 a.m.

 

A preliminary examination found no external injuries on Luke’s body. Police said a plastic tube commonly used to store cannabis was found in his trouser pocket. Kris was transferred to another hospital, where initial medical tests detected morphine in his system, although he has not yet been able to give a statement.

 

Investigators questioned the ladyboy and later released them after taking a statement. The Thai man who accompanied Luke was also questioned and tested positive for methamphetamine, police said. Bo Phut Police Superintendent Col Kanchawit Phoprasit said officers are tracing the missing money and awaiting detailed autopsy results from the Police Hospital’s forensic institute. Khaosod reported that police said the investigation is ongoing and further actions will depend on forensic findings and witness testimony.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• A 28-year-old British man died at a Koh Samui hotel on December 19, 2025, after being found unresponsive.

• His friend survived and tested positive for morphine, while police are probing possible drug involvement.

• Authorities are reviewing CCTV, tracing missing cash and awaiting full autopsy results.

 

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 Adapted  by  Asean Now from Khaosod 2025-12-20

 

 

Sounds like been drugged to be robbed and it went sideways.

7 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

According to preliminary findings, Kris returned to the shared room at about 2:35 a.m. with a 21-year-old ladyboy he had met at an entertainment venue. Around 30 minutes later, Luke arrived with a Thai man and police said the ladyboy subsequently left the room. Approximately 15 minutes after that, Kris went to the hotel reception to report that about £1,500 in cash was missing, alleging it had been taken by the ladyboy.

Something queer going on for sure...

This is sad on so many levels.

Ladyboy wasn't detained for drugging and murder or theft ?  probably gave half of the cash away.....but to whom?

This report is missing the part where the guy with the ladyboy asked the 2 that arrived to wait in the bathroom.

Why would he ask them that and why did he have morphine in system unless was given it in a drink maybe to make him sleep before robbing him.

21 minutes ago, DTL2014 said:

Ladyboy wasn't detained for drugging and murder or theft ?  probably gave half of the cash away.....but to whom?

His friend Sandy

1 hour ago, Watawattana said:

This is sad on so many levels.

Pick a level.

1 hour ago, ronster said:

This report is missing the part where the guy with the ladyboy asked the 2 that arrived to wait in the bathroom.

Why would he ask them that and why did he have morphine in system unless was given it in a drink maybe to make him sleep before robbing him.

Yes Officer ! 

2 hours ago, Watawattana said:

This is sad on so many levels.

 

Imagine the sorrow and the humiliation of the families back home. Finding out your son is dead and that he was a raging ho-mo at the same time would be too much.  Taking drugs whilst being sodomized is not a dignified way to go.  

 "Bo Phut Police Superintendent Col Kanchawit Phoprasit said officers are tracing the missing money...." 

 

Any bets as to whether they find it?

The Thai tourist board mentioned about a million Brits have visited ThailanD this year 

I mentioned look out for more incidents Involving Brits 

Looks like it starting 😱

 

16 hours ago, ronster said:

Sounds like been drugged to be robbed and it went sideways.

Thailand's weak pot drug laws are the cause of the death of a young man. It's deja vue all over again  .Two  28 year old  lads who are already smoke a bit of  save their money and go on a big adventure to Thailand because they had heard that pot is  legal there. They find it very cheap and  readilly available  and are also offered harder drugs which are cheap and   easy to get so they  experiment with them and go out and bring home a ladyboy each but they both overdose and one dies and the other survives. How many more times are we gonna hear about cases like this.? To think that Thailand has severe penalties for certain drug offences but have dropped the ball . How many young lives are gonna be lost before they wake up.I feel very sorry for the victims families.

1 hour ago, wavodavo said:

Thailand's weak pot drug laws are the cause of the death of a young man. It's deja vue all over again  .Two  28 year old  lads who are already smoke a bit of  save their money and go on a big adventure to Thailand because they had heard that pot is  legal there. They find it very cheap and  readilly available  and are also offered harder drugs which are cheap and   easy to get so they  experiment with them and go out and bring home a ladyboy each but they both overdose and one dies and the other survives. How many more times are we gonna hear about cases like this.? To think that Thailand has severe penalties for certain drug offences but have dropped the ball . How many young lives are gonna be lost before they wake up.I feel very sorry for the victims families.

Pretty sure robbery was motive due to his money missing, not misadventure from drug taking .

18 hours ago, flaming dragon said:

 

Imagine the sorrow and the humiliation of the families back home. Finding out your son is dead and that he was a raging ho-mo at the same time would be too much.  Taking drugs whilst being sodomized is not a dignified way to go.  

Yeah.  This is one of the many levels I was referring to.  Maybe his girlfriend finding out this way too.

On 12/20/2025 at 1:54 PM, soalbundy said:

Pick a level.

Bottom

1994 I was in Chaweng, at an outdoor bar, two Brits had a cutie between them, made her  get up on the bar on all fours and pulled her knickers down. They both inspected, agreed female, then they paid the bar fine and left with her.

 

1500 British pounds in your room and you bring a LB back at 3AM? Never thought of Revolut or Wise cards? Yes, some fees, but better than traveling around with a bunch of cash. Also, advice, steer clear of Ladyboys and drugs.

On 12/19/2025 at 10:11 PM, Georgealbert said:

A 28-year-old British tourist has died after being found unconscious at a hotel on Koh Samui, while his friend remains hospitalised,

 

Kids!...

On 12/21/2025 at 6:03 AM, wavodavo said:

Thailand's weak pot drug laws are the cause of the death of a young man.

You can blame the weed. But had there been no ladyboys in this story, the guys would still be enjoying their legal ganga.