Mystery death of Scot at hotel in Bangkok
An investigation has been launched into the unexplained death of a young Scot in a Bangkok hotel room.
Joe Cairnie was found dead in a hotel room in the Thai capital on Sunday while on holiday with friends.
It is not yet known how the 31-year-old, from Milngavie, Dunbartonshire, died, but Mr Cairnie’s family are said to be in close contact with the Thai authorities.
The alarm was raised by his friends when he did not emerge from his room and they were unable to contact him.
Thai police have begun a probe and a post-mortem examination will be carried out on Mr Cairnie’s body.
It comes 12 years after his sister Suzanne died aged 15 after being hit by a bus as she crossed a busy road in Glasgow.
Mr Cairnie’s father John, 50, said he had no idea his son had died until two police officers arrived at his door on Monday.
He said the Thai authorities told him he must wait for the results of the postmortem examination before a cause of death could be established.
Mr Cairnie, of Milngavie, added: ‘We don’t know if he was unwell, if his drink was spiked or if something happened.
‘It could be anything, we just don’t know. We’re numb. You never think lightning will strike twice in one family, but it has.’
An appeal to raise money to help Mr Cairnie’s family meet the cost of bringing his body home had raised more than £11,000 yesterday.
His friend Oliver McDonald, who created the fundraising web page, said: ‘We would like to offer some financial support to Joe Cairnie’s family. Joe did not have insurance and repatriation into the country is very expensive.’
His mother, Jayne Bates, led the tributes to her son on social media, writing: ‘Joe, I love you and miss you want this nightmare to go away. Why has this happened again? Why you, my son? Want you back, need you back. If I could swap places with you I would. need you home. need to hold you. I’m nothing without you, son. I love you with all my heart.’
Mr Cairnie’s friends also paid tribute to the former Glasgow City Council worker, who had recently been living in Cambridge. Cheryl Mckenna wrote: ‘Another loved one taken far too soon. Joe Cairnie, I still can’t believe we will never see each other again.’
Thomas Peden posted: ‘Deeply saddened to learn tonight of the passing of Joe Cairnie. Many a good time with him at work and good football banter with him.’
It is understood that the family would like Mr Cairnie to be buried at Langfaulds Cemetery in Bearsden, near Glasgow, next to his sister who was hit by a car in Maryhill road, Bearsden.
A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: ‘Our staff are supporting the family of a British man following his death in Thailand, and are in contact with the Thai police.’