Finn dies in Phuket hotel room

PHUKET: -- A Finnish tourist died in Patong late Tuesday night after a heavy drinking session, police said.

Kathu Police duty officer Jakkapong Luang-aon said the Finn, 60, had been in Patong to celebrate the birthday of his Thai girlfriend.

At the party that evening he drank a great deal, witnesses said.

His girlfriend left him alone in his Patong hotel room for a time and when she came back found him on the floor, but still breathing.

She called for assistance, but the Finn died en route to Patong Hospital.

A large quantity of prescription drugs found in the room indicated that he may have been suffering from a medical condition, Lt Jakkapong said.

The man was a regular visitor to Thailand, who always called his girlfriend to join him, he said.

He had checked into a room at the Austrian Garden Tai Pan Village resort on Rat-U-Thit 200 Pi Road about a week before.

The girlfriend also had a daughter staying in another room at the same resort.

The Finnish Embassy has been informed of the man’s passing, but has yet to confirm with Kathu Police that his relatives have been notified.

The Gazette will withhold the name pending such confirmation.

-- Phuket Gazette 2010-10-29

R.I.P.