Japanese hotel worker killed in crash

KARON: A Japanese circus entertainer from Club Med died after he was run over by a tuk-tuk on a hill near Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort at about 6 am on Tuesday.

Lt Col Sanguan Muangtham, duty inspector of Chalong Police Station, identified the victim as Nakamura Masakazu, 41.

Mr Masakazu was riding a rented Honda Dream motorbike in heavy rain when he lost control on a downhill section of the road from Patong to Karon, near Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort.

“His helmet came off when he hit the pavement and his body slid across the center line into the path of an oncoming tuk-tuk driven by Suree Phankhor. He died at the scene,” Col Sanguan said.

Mr Nakamura’s mother has already flown out from Japan to arrange funeral services for Mr Nakamura, which will be held in Phuket.

Suree, charged with careless driving causing death, was released on 50,000 baht bail, Col Sanguan said.

A statement released by Club Med said that Mr Masakazu joined Club Med six years ago and was organizing the resort’s circus entertainment at the time of his death.

“It is very hard to find words to express such a big feeling – the loss of a great organizer, good friend and a real gentleman. The entire management team, along with me, will always keep the memory of his smile and humor, his energy and commitment. May his soul travel safely to heaven,” said Club Med Phuket General Manager Alessandro Cordogli in the statement.