Two American nationals have been found dead inside a hotel room in the Jomtien area of Pattaya, with police investigating the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

Officers were called to the scene at around 11:00 on 31 March, according to Pol. Lt. Col. Shinwat Thisala of the Khong Dongtan police substation. Rescue workers also attended the location.

Bodies discovered after several days

The bodies of a man and a woman were found on the floor of a third-floor room, lying together. Police said initial assessments suggest they had been dead for three to four days.

Authorities identified the pair as Richard Carl Speth Jr, 85, and Kelly Marie Bennett, 65, both from the United States.

Hotel staff reported that the couple had been staying at the property for about a month and had not been seen leaving their room for several days.

Concerns were raised after staff noticed a strong odour coming from the room. When there was no response from inside, staff entered and discovered the bodies.

Items found in the room

Investigators said several medical-related items were found inside the room, along with a note written in English.

Police also reported that pills were discovered near the bodies, which may be relevant to the investigation.

The man was wearing a white floral shirt and blue shorts, while the woman was dressed in a colourful shirt and white trousers.

Investigation ongoing

Police said initial findings suggest the possibility that the couple may have taken medication, but this has not been confirmed.

Forensic officers have been assigned to examine the scene and gather further evidence.

The bodies have been transferred to the Institute of Forensic Medicine, where examinations will be carried out to determine the exact cause of death.

Authorities said further details would depend on the results of the forensic analysis.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 31 Mar 2026

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OK. an apparent double suicide.

Polite of them not to jump but not so polite to the next person that books that room.

11 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Polite of them not to jump but not so polite to the next person that books that room.

Will they just leave the bodies there and continue business as normal, or would you expect them to move the bodies?

My curiousity is what kind of reputation or national image does Thailand have to have, that people who want to off themselves or commit crime gravitate to Thailand now? Is the Thai government so clueless as to how people view Thailand ? Do they honestly really believe Thailand is seen as a " family friendly destination "? 🤔

Are they starting to use potent bug spray to clean the rooms?

3 minutes ago, What to do now said:

My curiousity is what kind of reputation or national image does Thailand have to have, that people who want to off themselves or commit crime gravitate to Thailand now? Is the Thai government so clueless as to how people view Thailand ? Do they honestly really believe Thailand is seen as a " family friendly destination "? 🤔

Seems for many, Thailand is the last item on the bucket list before they quietly step off the stage for good. And once they check it off, there’s no real reason, in their mind, to make the journey back home.

RIP old American couple, hope your have found peace.

7 minutes ago, mijens said:

RIP old American couple, hope your have found peace.

Errrr...The lady was only 65....Much younger than plenty of posters here.

2 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

Errrr...The lady was only 65....Much younger than plenty of posters here.

Like the man said... old.

5 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

Errrr...The lady was only 65....Much younger than plenty of posters here.

yeah...........I consider 65 to be old.

12 hours ago, Jingthing said:

OK. an apparent double suicide.

Polite of them not to jump but not so polite to the next person that books that room.

The balcony jumpers may leave quite a mess but at least they are sparing others from having to deal with decaying body stench.

That smell which, in case you did not know, is incredibly hard to get out of a room or house...The smell gets into everything and lingers for a very long time...

1 minute ago, redwood1 said:

The balcony jumpers may leave quite a mess but at least they are sparing others from having to deal with decaying body stench.

That smell which, in case you did not know, is incredibly hard to get out of a room or house...The smell gets into everything and lingers for a very long time...

Your right. A ruined mattress. A sidewalk you can wash off with a hose.

8 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

yeah...........I consider 65 to be old.

Let us know if you think 65 is old when your 64 lol....

Pattaya seems to be #1. As the location with the most deaths, suicides, robberies, balcony falls, and mysterious incidents. Stay away. Be warned.

10 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

Let us know if you think 65 is old when your 64 lol....

What's wrong with some people?

Don't they know that 65 is the new 64?

I'm 71 but I have the mental acuity of a 70 year old.

Old schmold.

Really if your sensitive that people consider you old, you will really be upset if you learn what they think of your opinions,

34 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

Let us know if you think 65 is old when your 64 lol....

And indeed when he is 66!

13 hours ago, Jingthing said:

OK. an apparent double suicide.

Polite of them not to jump but not so polite to the next person that books that room.

The next guest booking will know nothing about the this incident in that room in exactly the same way that most of us who have ever booked a hotel room have no idea what went on in that room before we booked it yet stayed in it quite happily.

36 minutes ago, redwood1 said:

Let us know if you think 65 is old when your 64 lol....

I will self-euthanize long before I reach that number.

1 hour ago, BilllyGOAT said:

Seems for many, Thailand is the last item on the bucket list before they quietly step off the stage for good. And once they check it off, there’s no real reason, in their mind, to make the journey back home.

I think the relatively uncomplicated death procedures in Thailand, inexpensive funerals and cremation rather than burial is enticing for those wishing to make a quiet exit without creating a burden for family. What in most western countries can easily go beyond $10,000 can be done here for well under $1000.

1 hour ago, What to do now said:

My curiousity is what kind of reputation or national image does Thailand have to have, that people who want to off themselves or commit crime gravitate to Thailand now? Is the Thai government so clueless as to how people view Thailand ? Do they honestly really believe Thailand is seen as a " family friendly destination "? 🤔

How can Thailand do anything about people who may want to end their lives in the country, do you think they asked to disclose it on entry?

40 minutes ago, SanSaiExPat said:

Your right. A ruined mattress. A sidewalk you can wash off with a hose.

A ruined mattress that will be replaced by a new mattress, nothing needs hosing off.

Except the all pervading stench from the carpet and any curtains they have not replaced.

3 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

A ruined mattress that will be replaced by a new mattress, nothing needs hosing off.

It might be one of those vinyl covered hard as a brick mattress that needs nothing more than hosing down.

7 minutes ago, dddave said:

I think the relatively uncomplicated death procedures in Thailand, inexpensive funerals and cremation rather than burial is enticing for those wishing to make a quiet exit without creating a burden for family. What in most western countries can easily go beyond $10,000 can be done here for well under $1000.

It's likely closer to 5,000 baht if you just do a cremation at the temple and the private ceremony without the monks.

1 hour ago, arick said:

Are they starting to use potent bug spray to clean the rooms?

Did make my mind recall the theme here in Chiang Mai. Hotel torn down as a result.

18 minutes ago, Ralf001 said:

I will self-euthanize long before I reach that number.

Why wait?

2 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Why wait?

Tomorrowland.

13 hours ago, Jingthing said:

OK. an apparent double suicide.

Polite of them not to jump but not so polite to the next person that books that room.

Yeah, I thought the same thing, however, suicides by couples deciding to "check out" together are usually found resting comfortably on the bed, not the floor... and they chose Pattaya? I mean, there are far nicer beaches than Jomtien's.

With the 20-year age discrepancy, perhaps the hubby pulled a fast one on the wifey and slipped her a Mickey Finn.

14 minutes ago, Maejo Man said:

Except the all pervading stench from the carpet and any curtains they have not replaced.

not many hotels have carpets for that very reason lol

1 hour ago, redwood1 said:

Errrr...The lady was only 65....Much younger than plenty of posters here.

Perhaps she was the one with the medical problem and he couldn't go on without her. They deserve better than some of the comments here