British tourist found dead in Patong hotel bathtub

PHUKET: Police believe that a combination of two common drugs, Alprazolam and Nytol, may have led to the death of a British man in the bathtub at his Patong hotel room last night.

Hotel staffers at the Baan Yin Dee Boutique Resort on Muean Ngen Road found the body of Arif Abdul Khalid Ukaye, 33, in his guest room at about 11:30pm.

The staff entered the room after Mr Ukaye failed to check out on time at midday yesterday, said Lt Thawatchai Srimai of Patong Police.

“There were no signs of a struggle and the room showed no signs of being rummaged by thieves,” Lt Thawatchai told the Phuket Gazette.

“We believe he died about seven hours before his body was found.”

Police found an opened bottle of alcohol in the room and two packets of Alprazolam on the bed.

“One packet had been used,” Lt Thawatchai said. “We also found a partly used packet of Nytol.”

Doctors at Patong Hospital confirmed the cause of Mr Ukaye’s death as heart attack, Lt Thawatchai told the Gazette.

“His relatives have been notified of his death,” he added.

— Kritsada Mueanhawong