SURAT THANI – A British tourist has died at a hotel on Koh Samui, while another man was found unconscious near reception. Police later reported morphine was found in one man’s system, after the pair reportedly brought a transgender woman and a young Thai boxer back to their room before cash went missing.
On Friday, Thai reporters in Koh Samui in Surat Thani Province were told that at about 4.00 am, Police Senior Sgt Maj Suphakij Chanmuang, an investigator at Bophut Police Station, received a call about two British men at a luxury hotel in the Chaweng Beach area, Moo 2, Bophut.
One man was unconscious in front of the reception desk, and another was inside a guest room. The incident was reported to Police Col Kanthachawit Photprasith, superintendent of Bophut Police Station, who sent investigation and patrol officers to check the scene.
Initial enquiries found that at around 2.35 am, Christopher, 28, returned to the hotel room with a 21-year-old transgender woman he had met at an entertainment venue in Chaweng. About 30 minutes later, Luke, also 28, who was sharing the room, came back from the same nightlife area with a Thai man. Police later learned the Thai man works as a boxer.
When they opened the door, Christopher and the transgender woman were lying on the bed. Christopher then told Luke and the Thai man to wait in the bathroom. Around two minutes later, the transgender woman left the room and walked back to her accommodation at about 3.00 am.
Roughly 15 minutes later, Christopher went down to reception and told the staff that £1,500 in cash (around 63,000 baht) was missing. He said he suspected the transgender woman had taken it. Not long after, he collapsed and lost consciousness at the reception area. Hotel staff then contacted the police.
When officers arrived, an ambulance was called to take Christopher to the hospital. Police then checked the room and found Luke unconscious inside. He was not breathing, so officers carried out CPR before rushing him to the hospital.
Police later confirmed Luke was pronounced dead at 4.53 am. A preliminary examination found no visible injuries, but officers reported finding a plastic tube used for cannabis in his trouser pocket.
Luke was said to be in a stable condition but still unable to give a statement and under close medical care. Early information indicated morphine had been detected in his body.
At about 6.00 am the same day, Bophut police investigators traced the transgender woman to her room and took her in for questioning. After recording her details, officers released her. The Thai man was also brought in for questioning. A drug screening reportedly found methamphetamine in his system.
Police Col Kanthachawit Photprasith ordered officers to gather evidence from CCTV footage and to wait for a full forensic report from the Police General Hospital’s Institute of Forensic Medicine.
Investigators want to confirm how the morphine entered the man’s body and whether it is linked to the death. Police are also working to trace the missing cash as they continue legal action.
Tourists in Koh Samui can put their health at serious risk by taking drugs from strangers. These substances are often mixed, contaminated, or cut with dangerous additives, including fentanyl-type drugs or unknown chemicals. That can lead to overdose, drug-related psychosis, or even death.
Taking anything offered by someone you don’t know also makes you an easier target for scams, theft, or drug-facilitated sexual assault, as government travel advisories often warn. On top of that, Thailand has very strict drug laws.
Even small amounts for personal use can bring heavy fines and years in prison. If Category I drugs are involved, such as ecstasy or methamphetamine, the penalties can be far harsher, including life sentences or the death penalty.
These rules apply to foreigners, too, and tourists should not expect leniency.
