The body of the man, later identified as Alsawahleh Naji Thlab S, from Saudi Arabia, was discovered by hotel staff and immediately transported to Patong Hospital. Despite efforts to save him, he was pronounced dead at 2:43pm.
The hotel’s assistant front desk manager, Ibrahim Chema, and security officer, Thawipop Meesen, told police that the Mr Alsawahleh had checked into the hotel on Sunday (Aug 4), along with his two sons, who stayed in a separate room on a different floor.
Mr Chema, 32, explained that he was working at the reception when the hotel’s security guard found the tourist unconscious in the elevator. They immediately called the police and emergency services due to the tourist’s large size, which complicated rescue efforts. The tourist was subsequently transported to Patong Hospital, where he later died.
A 34-year-old housekeeper reported seeing Mr Alsawahleh in his room around 10:35am. She noticed that he looked unwell but continued with her duties after briefly observing him.
Another witness, Obaid Abdulla Qabeel Abdulla Almerikhi, a 61-year-old tourist from the United Arab Emirates, recounted through an interpreter that he saw the tourist in distress inside the elevator. He sought help from the hotel’s security staff, who then alerted emergency services.
Dr Ekpaiboon Chuathonghua, who examined Mr Alsawahleh’s body at Patong Hospital, said the exact cause of death is still under investigation, said a report by Patong Police.
The police and hotel staff have expressed their condolences to the family of Mr Alsawahleh. His sons, who were notified of their father’s condition, were not present at the hotel during the incident but were informed shortly afterward, noted the police report.
The investigation into Mr Alsawahleh’s death is ongoing, police said.