Phuket —
A New Zealand tourist is under investigation following the death of his Thai girlfriend in Phuket on Saturday, January 6th.
According to reports, 40-year-old Mr. Hamish, was seen by witnesses verbally arguing with his 33-year-old Thai girlfriend, Ms. Chatchaya, near the rooftop swimming pool of their hotel in Patong on Saturday afternoon. The name of the hotel was withheld by police as part of the investigation.
Witnesses said they then saw Mr. Hamish carrying Ms. Chatchaya from the rooftop before asking for hotel staff to call an ambulance. Both full names of the two have been withheld pending an ongoing investigation. It was unclear exactly what was wrong at that time with Chatchaya.
Ms. Chatchaya was unconscious while being carried by Mr. Hamish who was from New Zealand. The hotel staff contacted the Kusontham Foundation, a local emergency medical service, who rushed Ms. Chatchaya to Patong Hospital. Sadly, she was pronounced dead around 2:00 PM, just 30 minutes after arriving at the hospital.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hamish had returned to take a shower before her death and later notified the hotel employees that he would visit his girlfriend at the hospital to check on her condition. Almost half an hour had passed by after the incident.
The Phuket Provincial Police have launched a preliminary investigation, securing the swimming pool area and the room of Mr. Hamish. They are currently interviewing hotel staff and gathering evidence to determine the circumstances surrounding Ms. Chatchaya’s death.
As of press time, Mr. Hamish, who is cooperating with the investigation, has not been formally charged with any crime. However, his role in the events leading up to Ms. Chatchaya’s death remains unclear and police stated they will continue to interview the man.
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This article originally appeared on our sister website The Phuket Express.
