Singaporean tourist dies allegedly due to oil massage in Phuket
A 52 year old Singaporean man died at a massage shop in the Patong neighbourhood of Phuket after an oil massage. The cause of his death remains undetermined.
Officers from Patong Police Station were called to Patong Hospital on Saturday, December 7, to investigate the death of the Singaporean man, identified as Lee Mun Tuck. Upon their arrival, they found Tuck shirtless, lying on a medical bed in the hospital’s emergency unit.
According to medical staff, Tuck was picked up from the massage shop located near Patong Beach in Phuket’s Kathu district. An autopsy to determine the cause of death was pending approval from his family.
A reporter from ThaiRath interviewed one of the shop’s employees on Sunday, December 8. The employee stated that the masseuse who provided the service to Tuck was not at work that day. The worker insisted that the man passed away at the hospital, not at the shop.
The employee revealed that Tuck was a regular customer and mentioned that his wife previously disclosed that he suffered from poor sleep and frequently consumed alcohol, which could contribute to his condition.
Patong Police Superintendent Chalermchai Hernsawat told the media that Tuck experienced difficulty breathing while still at the massage shop. Workers and rescuers performed CPR but were unsuccessful, prompting them to rush him to the hospital.
Tuck’s wife was present at the shop during the incident. She explained that her husband lacked exercise, and on the day of the incident, he consumed beer before undergoing a 45-minute oil massage. After the session, Tuck rested at the shop but began snoring loudly and then developed breathing difficulties.
Despite suggestions from police and medical staff to conduct an autopsy, Tuck’s wife declined, stating she was not concerned about the cause of his death and wished to bring his body back to Singapore for the funeral.
Police and medical officials, however, confirmed that Tuck already passed away before arriving at the hospital contradicting the employer’s account.
In a related case, Thai singer Chayada “Phing” Praohom died yesterday, December 8, after receiving a massage for shoulder pain at a shop in the Isaan province of Udon Thani. Her death was allegedly linked to inappropriate massage practices. Authorities continue their investigations.
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