British Tourist Found Dead Near Phuket Beach as Police Await Autopsy Results

A British man was discovered dead in a drainage canal near Bang Tao Beach in Phuket on March 14, with CCTV footage later showing his unusual behaviour shortly before his death.

The body was found around 12:30pm by a Myanmar national who had gone to the canal in the Bang Tao area to collect morning glory. After making the discovery, he alerted officers from Choeng Thalay Police Station.

According to reports, the deceased was identified as 33-year-old British citizen Jordan Wright. He was found face down in the canal, dressed in a grey shirt and black trousers, and barefoot.

Police said a keycard from the CoCo Phuket Bangtao Hotel was recovered from his pocket, while his iPhone 17 was located on the canal bank nearby. No additional belongings were reported at the scene.

Initial investigations found no evidence of violence or struggle. Wright’s body was transferred to Vachira Phuket Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Officers later visited the hotel where Wright had been staying to gather more details and review security footage. Staff told police that he had checked in alone and was scheduled to check out on March 13.

A search of his hotel room revealed no suspicious signs. Authorities confirmed there was no indication of forced entry, theft, or any unusual activity.

However, CCTV recordings from outside the hotel showed Wright pacing back and forth before eventually walking out of frame. Police believe he was heading toward the canal where his body was later discovered. Investigators suspect he may have been under the influence of alcohol or other substances at the time.

Authorities are currently awaiting autopsy results to determine the exact cause of death and whether intoxication played a role.

In a separate incident earlier this year, another British-Australian man, Graham Tucker, was found dead aboard his yacht near Khao Khad Beach in Phuket on January 11. He had reportedly lived alone on the vessel for over a decade, frequently travelling between Phuket and Malaysia.

Police examined the yacht and reported no signs of foul play. Tucker’s body was also sent for autopsy at the same hospital, though the findings have not been publicly disclosed.