Tourist dies at ‘good luck’ Buddhist shrine after slipping and cracking head open
A tourist has died in Thailand after a tragic accident where he slipped and hit his head on a Buddhist ‘good luck’ statue at a beach resort hotel.
The 66-year-old man from Canada suffered fatal injuries when he fell on steps and struck his head on a stone carving in the lobby of the Royal Thai Pavilion Hotel in Pattaya.
The incident occurred at the popular coastal destination on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand.
The stone statue, an ornate female figure positioned near the entrance, served as a good luck shrine at the hotel.
Hotel staff discovered the man lying face down and immediately called emergency services.
Despite paramedics’ attempts to resuscitate him, the tourist was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police received the emergency call at 3:34pm local time yesterday, according to investigating local police chief Phuttarak Sonkhamhan.
Staff believed the man had been returning from an afternoon workout when the accident occurred.
Police conducted a thorough inspection of the deceased’s ninth-floor room, finding three suitcases with personal belongings and a laptop computer.
“On the shelf above the refrigerator, a box of medicine and a syringe were found, which are believed to be his medicine, so they were collected as evidence,” said Chief Sonkhamhan.
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The police chief confirmed there was no suspicion of foul play, stating: “We do not believe there was anybody else involved in the tourist’s death. He fell by himself and hit his head on the statue.”
Police are reviewing hotel CCTV footage as part of their investigation.
The tourist had been staying at the resort since Monday and was scheduled to depart on December 9.
The victim’s body was taken to Bang Lamung Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Thai authorities are working closely with the Canadian Embassy to notify the deceased man’s family.
It is not yet known if the man had received any visitors in the days leading up to his death.
Buddhist statues at building entrances are a deeply rooted tradition in Thailand’s cultural and religious practices.
These statues, like the one involved in the tragic accident, are believed to provide protection and blessings to the buildings and their occupants.
It is common for people to place offerings such as flowers, incense, or candles near these statues.
These offerings are made by followers seeking guidance and good fortune, reflecting the spiritual significance of these religious symbols in Thai society.