Irish Tourist Found Dead, Likely by Suicide, on Koh Larn Island Near Pattaya

Pattaya, May 2nd, 2026 – Police on Koh Larn discovered the body of a 56-year-old Irish tourist who had apparently hanged himself under a tree close to Nual Beach early this morning.

At approximately 10:00 a.m. on May 2nd, 2026, Pol. Lt. Kriangkrai Kaewphipop, Deputy Investigator at Pattaya City Police Station assigned to Koh Larn, received a report of a foreign man found hanging by the neck under a tree near Nual Beach in Village 7.

Officers, along with forensic police from Chonburi’s Police Forensic Division 2, investigators, a duty doctor, and rescue workers from Sawang Boriboon Foundation Pattaya, rushed to the scene.

The incident occurred on vacant land. Officers found the body of Mr. Joseph, a 56-year-old Irish national, suspended by a green reflective nylon rope approximately 5 meters long tied around his neck under a Neem tree (also known as Indian Lilac). The deceased was in a standing position.

A wound was also visible on the left side of his forehead. The body was estimated to have been dead for 3-5 hours. Nearby, under the same tree, police found a blue backpack containing a large quantity of medication for heart disease and high blood pressure, which was collected as evidence.

Mr. Somchit, 65, a construction site supervisor working near the location, was the person who discovered the body. He told police that while gathering his workers in the early morning, he noticed something unusual under the tree. At first, he thought it was a mannequin. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was a foreign man who had hanged himself. The shocked workers fled to the construction site and immediately called the police.

Witnesses also reported seeing the deceased sitting in a roadside pavilion about 20 meters from the scene since the previous evening.

Pol. Lt. Kriangkrai Kaewphipop stated that initial investigations suggest the tourist likely took his own life due to stress related to his chronic health conditions. However, the body will be sent for a full autopsy, and authorities will attempt to contact the man’s relatives for further questioning to determine the exact cause of death.

Photos: Stock photos of Koh Larn