A British boxer has been found dead in a hotel room in Thailand beside his Australian friend, who is reported to be fighting for his life in a coma.
Joshua Goldstone, 21, was reportedly found lying face-up in a room on the fourth floor of the Vogue Hotel in the coastal resort of Pattaya, eastern Thailand, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Friends paid tribute to him today, with one writing online: ‘Rest in peace. It’s shocking news and so sad. You will be missed by many people.’
His friend and fellow boxer, Jayson Tonkin, 27, from Manly in Sydney, is in a coma in intensive care after being found next to the dead body.
Jayson, also a Muay Thai boxer, is reportedly facing drugs charges if he regains consciousness.
The boxer had reportedly consumed a potent cocktail of marijuana and illegal ketamine.
Police seized the cannabis, ketamine, and drug paraphernalia in the room as evidence. They said there were no traces of assault or a struggle.
Speaking today, Police Lieutenant Thanawi Yarangsi said that police had previously released incorrect information about the identity of the deceased, wrongly saying it was Tonkin who had died.
A police spokesman added: ‘We have taken photos of the scene and collected all evidence. We believe he may have died from a drug overdose based on what we found in the room. We will question his friend further when he is conscious.’
Muay Thai contacts told Daily Mail Australia that it was not clear ‘when or if’ Tonkin would regain consciousness in the hospital ICU.
Hotel staff said they heard a commotion in the room on the fourth floor and found the two men when then went inside to check.
Police seized the cannabis, ketamine, and drug paraphernalia in the room as evidence. They said there were no traces of assault or a struggle.
According to Thai law, carrying Category I drugs, including LSD and ecstasy, for ‘disposal or possession for the purpose of disposal’, has a maximum punishment of the death sentence or life in prison.
The most severe punishments are reserved for those who ‘produce of import’ the substances, while simply possessing the drugs can land offenders in jail for up to 10 years.
Dealing the lesser Category 2 drugs, which include cocaine and ketamine, can carry a life sentence while possession alone has a punishment of five years.
Tonkin, a middleweight Muay Thai fighter, opened up about his struggles with drugs – and in particular methamphetamine – in a podcast about mental health made earlier this year.
He flew to Thailand last month for a fight against WBC Muay Thai world number one middleweight champion, Tengnueng Sitjaesairoong.
The Australian said he was looking forward to winning by knockout in the October 20 bout but it was cancelled due to heavy rain.
A UK foreign office spokesperson said: ‘We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Thailand and are in contact with the local authorities.’
