The body of a 54-year-old British woman was discovered early Tuesday morning on Chao Phao Beach by a local jogger.
The woman, identified as Ms. Alison, was found wearing only an orange bra, with matching underwear later found washed ashore nearby. Authorities reported no visible signs of violence at the scene.
Police from Koh Phangan Station in Surat Thani Province were alerted to the incident at 6:30am on June 3. Officers, accompanied by a physician from Koh Phangan Hospital, arrived at the scene to conduct a preliminary investigation.
Lieutenant Colonel Apichat Chansamret, Chief of Koh Phangan Police Station, confirmed that the body showed no injuries or indications of assault.
“The British woman was found wearing an orange bra, with orange underwear washed ashore nearby by the waves. No wounds or signs of assault were found,” he said.
The body was first spotted by Mr. Theerapong, a local resident, who said he was on his morning exercise walk when he saw the woman’s body and immediately contacted the police.
Rescue personnel from the Koh Phangan Kusonsraddha Foundation transported the body to Koh Phangan Hospital for autopsy.
Doctors found significant amounts of sand and seawater in the lungs, leading to a preliminary conclusion of drowning as the cause of death.
Investigators learned that the woman had been staying alone at a beachfront bungalow about 100 meters from where her body was found. She had checked in roughly a month earlier and was due to check out on June 11.
Staff at the accommodation told police that Ms. Alison regularly consumed alcohol.
On the evening of June 2, she reportedly fell and hit her head near a convenience store, but declined medical help. Bystanders assisted her back to her room.
Later that night, she was seen drinking again and reportedly went swimming near her bungalow. No one saw her alive afterward.
A search of her room revealed her passport and personal belongings were still in place. Police are coordinating with the British Embassy to notify her next of kin.
