Man found dead in Thailand not a Kiwi - MFAT

Photo / Martin Sykes

Despite reports a New Zealander has been found dead in Thailand while mourning the death of a friend who died in the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says the man was not a New Zealand citizen.

Earlier today, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman said the Ministry had not been approached over the death and this afternoon she confirmed the man was not a Kiwi citizen.

The Phuketwan Tourism News reported the 30-year-old man was with another Kiwi at the ''Light Up Phuket'' ceremony on Monday night, lighting candles in the sand as a tribute to their friend who died in the disaster.

The website says the man and his 29-year-old friend went out on the town in Patong afterwards, according to Thai police.

Lieutenant Jakapong Lurng-On of Kathu Police Station told the Tourism News the man took two bar hostesses back to his room and was found dead by his friend about 9am (Thai time) in the Keeta guesthouse the following day.

Lieutenant Jakapong said police found "two used condoms and a sex stimulant in the man's room".

The two women had left before the body was found, he said.

Lieutenant Jakapong told the Tourism News the deceased man was overweight and had undisclosed health problems prior to his death.

The Tourism News story notes two other male tourists have died in similar circumstances in Patong this year.