A BRITISH tourist has been found dead in a storm drain on an island in Thailand after going missing on a night out.
The 37-year-old male was found by locals face down in the water at around 9 am on Wednesday.
Asia Pacific Press via ViralPressThe 37-year-old had gone missing on a night out while holidaying with family[/caption]
Asia Pacific Press via ViralPressThe British tourist was found face down in the storm drain outside a local bike shop[/caption]
He was pronounced dead at the scene by police and paramedics who quickly attended.
It is believed the man from Wiltshire, England, had been out drinking alone in Phuket while on holiday with his family.
An investigation was launched into his death after relatives told cops that he had been missing since 10 pm on Tuesday.
A source told Asia Pacific: “[He] was with his family. He arrived in Phuket on November 17 and was staying at Seaview Hotel in the Patong area.
“We had not been able to contact him since about 10 pm on Tuesday night.”
Police have revealed that shocked locals reported finding the body outside a local bike shop at 9:30 am.
He was found in the ditch used to carry off rainwater despite there being a handrail in front of it.
POLICE STATEMENT
Police Captain Phongsathorn said that the Brit had been dead for between five and six hours when he was found.
An autopsy will be carried out to determine the cause of death.
He said: “We have sent the tourist’s body to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a thorough autopsy to determine the cause of death before handing it over to his family for religious ceremonies.
“We have checked the security camera and found no one assaulted him.
“He walked into the drainage ditch by himself at around 4 am and did not tell his family.
“I received a report from a resident about the body discovery before informing his family.
“Currently, we have to investigate further to determine the cause, while I don’t know when the autopsy will be completed.”
DEATH OF BRIT BACKPACKER
Earlier this year, British backpacker Theo Bailey was found dead in a drain after a pub crawl.
The 31-year-old had been out drinking with his girlfriend on the Thai island of Koh Tao in March.
During the night he vanished and was found the following afternoon in a shallow drain ditch outside of a local diving centre.
Lieutenant Colonel Chokchai Suthimek said at the time that the police believed Bailey had walked and fell into the water channel at night.
“We think it was an accident,” he said.
The backpacker’s heartbroken girlfriend Chantal Xerri, 27, paid tribute to Bailey:
“This is probably the hardest post I will ever have to do in my life.
“Last week, my best friend became an angel. Theo, having you in my life for 10 years will never be long enough.
“I will spend the rest of my life missing you and you will forever have my heart.
“Thank you for all the amazing and silly memories we have together. I miss you and I love you.”
GettyThe 37-year-old from Wiltshire had been staying in the Patong area (stock)[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
