American tourist found dead in Phuket hotel

Phuket Gazette

In addition to finding the American man’s wallet, police found open beer cans and a variety of prescription drugs. Photo: Thawit Bilabdullar

PHUKET: -- A 23-year-old American tourist was found dead in his Cherng Talay hotel room by staff after he failed to checkout at noon yesterday.

Staff at the Resident Resort and Spa Retreat called Cherng Talay Police at about 10:30pm to report the death.

“When we entered the room, we found the man face down on the bed,” Cherng Talay Police investigator Rassada Kluengwong told the Phuket Gazette. “We believe he died about five hours earlier.”

newsjs

In addition to finding the American man’s wallet and other possessions, police found several open beer cans and a variety of prescription drugs.

“The man checked in on Tuesday, February 5. His brother was staying in the same room as him, but left on Thursday,” Teweesak Sae-Kor, the night manager, at the resort told police. “He was supposed to only stay one more night and then checkout by noon on Friday.”

“After his brother checked out at about 10pm on Thursday, the American left the resort and didn’t come back at until 6:30am,” Mr Teweesak explained. “He hanged a ‘do not disturb’ sign on his door, so our staff did not try to wake him until it was time to checkout, as we don’t like to disturb our guests.”

Resort staff called his room, but there was no answer.

Unsure what to do, they decided to wait for him. However, by about 10pm that night they took action and used a spare key to open the room. Once inside, they found his body, Mr Teweesak explained.

“Police have yet to determine the cause of death,” Lt Col Rassada said.

The Gazette is withholding the name of the deceased until relatives or next of kin have been informed.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...otel-20179.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2013-02-09

World best forensics specialists here. No gloves needed, methinks

Looks like a nice big packet of weed on the table

World best forensics specialists here. No gloves needed, methinks

Letting the media in to take pictures is an even better technique

Having seen these forensic investigators in action, a potential crime scene will be contaminated within minutes.

contaminated... like they would ever have the funds to look for dna and such. please don't watch too much csi

But fingerprints should be possible, don't you think?

“He hanged a ‘do not disturb’ sign on his door, so our staff did not try to wake him until it was time to checkout, as we don’t like to disturb our guests.” His check out time was noon. They waited 10 hours past the check out time to investigate. Any other hotel would have been calling and checking the room by 1 or 2 PM.

I am surprised that none of the wannabe ThaiVisa forensic and conspiracy experts commented on the the fact the police arrived at 10:30 PM and determined the guy died 5 hours earlier. That would be about 6:30 PM or 6 1/2 hours past check out time. The brother showed up at 6:30 AM and waited 15 1/2 hours before the room was checked. <deleted> is that?

RIP young man. Only 23 years old...

World best forensics specialists here. No gloves needed, methinks

No country in the world has forensic people if death isn't suspicious. If police had to do forensics for every death, they wouldn't have time for anything else. When someone dies in the UK, police aren't usually involved, and no-one else treats the room as a crime scene, so why do you think it should be different here. Most likely a suicide. That's life.

“He hanged a ‘do not disturb’ sign on his door, so our staff did not try to wake him until it was time to checkout, as we don’t like to disturb our guests.” His check out time was noon. They waited 10 hours past the check out time to investigate. Any other hotel would have been calling and checking the room by 1 or 2 PM.

I am surprised that none of the wannabe ThaiVisa forensic and conspiracy experts commented on the the fact the police arrived at 10:30 PM and determined the guy died 5 hours earlier. That would be about 6:30 PM or 6 1/2 hours past check out time. The brother showed up at 6:30 AM and waited 15 1/2 hours before the room was checked. <deleted> is that?

His brother didn't come back. The man who died came back at 6.30 am.

World best forensics specialists here. No gloves needed, methinks

No country in the world has forensic people if death isn't suspicious. If police had to do forensics for every death, they wouldn't have time for anything else. When someone dies in the UK, police aren't usually involved, and no-one else treats the room as a crime scene, so why do you think it should be different here. Most likely a suicide. That's life.

LoL. What is the forensic guy then doing there?

Oh, maybe you can't read the 'forensic' on the jacket:

(picture is example only ;-)

And you are right "most likely a suicide'. That's what is best to write in he report, anyway.

Almost as good as 'fall from the balcony'

World best forensics specialists here. No gloves needed, methinks

No country in the world has forensic people if death isn't suspicious. If police had to do forensics for every death, they wouldn't have time for anything else. When someone dies in the UK, police aren't usually involved, and no-one else treats the room as a crime scene, so why do you think it should be different here. Most likely a suicide. That's life.

That's rubbish. All deaths are treated as suspicious by first response emergency services until cirumstances reveal otherwise.

The death of a 23 year old, purely based on age, would arouse suspicion.

What a waste of a life to die so young

R.I.P

I suppose there's no way it could have been, simply, an accident?

RIP 23 year old young man.

“He hanged a ‘do not disturb’ sign on his door, so our staff did not try to wake him until it was time to checkout, as we don’t like to disturb our guests.” His check out time was noon. They waited 10 hours past the check out time to investigate. Any other hotel would have been calling and checking the room by 1 or 2 PM.

I am surprised that none of the wannabe ThaiVisa forensic and conspiracy experts commented on the the fact the police arrived at 10:30 PM and determined the guy died 5 hours earlier. That would be about 6:30 PM or 6 1/2 hours past check out time. The brother showed up at 6:30 AM and waited 15 1/2 hours before the room was checked. <deleted> is that?

Read the article again mate ..."After his brother checked out at about 10pm on Thursday," ///

World best forensics specialists here. No gloves needed, methinks

No country in the world has forensic people if death isn't suspicious. If police had to do forensics for every death, they wouldn't have time for anything else. When someone dies in the UK, police aren't usually involved, and no-one else treats the room as a crime scene, so why do you think it should be different here. Most likely a suicide. That's life.

That's rubbish. All deaths are treated as suspicious by first response emergency services until cirumstances reveal otherwise.

The death of a 23 year old, purely based on age, would arouse suspicion.

agree here, a 25 year old was found dead near my home in the UK, and straight away turned into a crime scene ( Tap out, men in white overalls ect ect ) turns out he wasnt murdered, but they have to rule that out first

Is there something about Thailand that attracts the tin-hatters? Or is it something about the tin-hatters that they're attracted to Thailand?

Or maybe it's just a TV thing??

Is there something about Thailand that attracts the tin-hatters? Or is it something about the tin-hatters that they're attracted to Thailand?

Or maybe it's just a TV thing??

All of the above..

Looks like a nice big packet of weed on the table

It's called "prescription drugs".

World best forensics specialists here. No gloves needed, methinks

No country in the world has forensic people if death isn't suspicious. If police had to do forensics for every death, they wouldn't have time for anything else. When someone dies in the UK, police aren't usually involved, and no-one else treats the room as a crime scene, so why do you think it should be different here. Most likely a suicide. That's life.

WRONG. I don't know about the U.K but I can assure 150% that in Australia if the death involves a foreigner then it will be treated as an unexplained or suspicious death until deemed otherwise. A crime scene will be established, crime scene investigators (forensics) will attend. The body will automatically be assigned to the coroner.

Don't ask me how many deaths I have attended because I lost count long ago.

You definately would not have the media wondering through the scene it would be totally contained and isolated to the immeadiate investigator and forensic personell.

World best forensics specialists here. No gloves needed, methinks

I you look closely the guy in the pic holds a notepad in one hand and a pen in the other. I don't think it's necessary to wear gloves if you're intention is to only write down what's on the table!

World best forensics specialists here. No gloves needed, methinks

I you look closely the guy in the pic holds a notepad in one hand and a pen in the other. I don't think it's necessary to wear gloves if you're intention is to only write down what's on the table!

He is probably about to write a suicide note on behalf of the deceased.

World best forensics specialists here. No gloves needed, methinks

No country in the world has forensic people if death isn't suspicious. If police had to do forensics for every death, they wouldn't have time for anything else. When someone dies in the UK, police aren't usually involved, and no-one else treats the room as a crime scene, so why do you think it should be different here. Most likely a suicide. That's life.

Only in Thailand is a 23-yr old on holiday found face down dead in his bed "not suspicious". "Most likely a suicide"... LOL.... REALLY? The BiB need you on their team.

To add to this.... His brother checked out at 10pm the night before??? I find that extremely odd. Not only that 2 brothers on holiday didn't check out together....But that he checked out out at 10pm at night...

“He hanged a ‘do not disturb’ sign on his door, so our staff did not try to wake him until it was time to checkout, as we don’t like to disturb our guests.” His check out time was noon. They waited 10 hours past the check out time to investigate. Any other hotel would have been calling and checking the room by 1 or 2 PM.

I am surprised that none of the wannabe ThaiVisa forensic and conspiracy experts commented on the the fact the police arrived at 10:30 PM and determined the guy died 5 hours earlier. That would be about 6:30 PM or 6 1/2 hours past check out time. The brother showed up at 6:30 AM and waited 15 1/2 hours before the room was checked. <deleted> is that?

I think you'll fine it was the deceased who returned at 6:30am. Sounds like if the hotel staff had checked earlier they might have saved his life!

Face down under the influence of alcohol and depressants, suffocated. Or is that too simple for some?

Face down under the influence of alcohol and depressants, suffocated. Or is that too simple for some?

Yeah...too much alcohol mixed with Rx drugs = accidental death

Sad to hear... such a young guy. RIP

Sad, 23 is too young to die alone in a cheap hotal in phuket. RIP young man.

Sad, 23 is too young to die alone in a cheap hotal in phuket. RIP young man.

Where did you get the information, that he was alone, that time? New forensic evidence?

So you mean, since 'someone' got it out of the plastic bag and aranged it on the table, it's noy neccessary anymore, for anyone of the 'forensic' specialists, to take care about anything?

That might be right, as long everybody is thinking, it's best, that it was an accident or a suicide!

Only to rule that out becomes a bit more difficult. But Patong, the image rules, nothing else!