Phuket tourist carrying roses dies in motorbike crash

PHUKET: Simon Ashley, a tourist carrying an Australian driver’s license, died when he lost control of his motorbike on one of the sharp curves between Patong and Karon early this morning.

“A tuk-tuk driver who witnessed the accident said that he saw Mr Ashley leave Soi Bangla in Patong and head towards Karon with a bunch of roses in his left hand. He was driving behind Mr Ashley when the accident occurred,” Karon Police Deputy Superintendent Chana Suttimard told the Phuket Gazette today.

Police were notified of the accident at about 2:30am. When they arrived at the scene, they found the body of Mr Ashley, 33, on the side of the road.

“During the initial investigation, we could not smell alcohol on him, but we have sent his body to Patong hospital to be examined,” Col Chana said.

Not far from Mr Ashley’s body, police found his motorbike, helmet and a bouquet of roses.

— Thawit Bilabdullar