A British tourist has been found dead in a storm drain on the Thai island of Phuket after going missing during a family holiday.
Fraser Wright, 37, from Swindon, was discovered face down in shallow water on Wednesday morning after disappearing from the Seaview Hotel where he was staying.
The tourist, who had arrived in Thailand on Sunday, was found by shocked locals outside Tawan Bike Shop in the Patong area of the island.
Mr Wright was last seen by his family at around 10pm on Tuesday when he went out drinking alone.
He was on holiday in Phuket with his family
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His relatives raised the alarm when they were unable to contact him after he failed to return to the hotel.
The body was discovered by locals at approximately 9am on Wednesday morning.
Police Captain Phongsathorn Phothong said Mr Wright had been dead for five to six hours when he was found, suggesting he died around 4am.
Local media reported that CCTV footage captured Mr Wright peering into the drain, which carries rainwater to the sea, before climbing over the one-metre-high metal barrier.
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He is said to have walked into the storm drain by himself
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Phongsathorn confirmed: “We have checked the security camera and found no one assaulted him.
“He walked into the drainage ditch by himself at around 4am and did not tell his family.”
The drain was surrounded by a metal guard rail and there was no evidence of foul play.
Police have sent Wright’s body to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a thorough autopsy to determine the cause of death.
According to local news outlet Khasod, the initial autopsy did not identify any additional wounds.
“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,” Police Captain Phongsathorn said.
The police captain added that further investigations were required, though it was unclear when the autopsy would be completed.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities.”
