Latest news with #PattayaCityPolice
Sky News AU
20 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Mystery surrounds death of Australian tourist Michael Caola in Thailand's Pattaya as police launch investigation
Thai police have launched an investigation after a 54-year-old Australian man was found dead inside his apartment in the coastal city of Pattaya. Michael Shane Caola, from Perth, was discovered on Thursday at the Grand Shivalay complex, a high-rise building located in the heart of the city, which has long been associated with its hedonistic nightlife and influx of foreign tourists. Concerned relatives in Australia contacted the apartment's front desk after failing to reach Mr Caola for two days. The building's manager, Thanchanok Prajit, raised the alarm with local authorities after being unable to access his room. 'His family in Australia called the reception, saying they had been unable to contact him,' she said. 'He was a regular customer often seen exercising, probably to take care of his health.' Responding officers found no immediate signs of foul play at the scene, but the circumstances surrounding Mr Caola's death remain unclear. Police Lieutenant Colonel Saijai Kamjulla of Pattaya City Police confirmed that inquiries are ongoing 'The cause of the Australian man's death is still unknown and the results of the autopsy are pending," he said. 'The case is currently under investigation, and further details cannot be disclosed at this time.' In a separate and seemingly unrelated incident, Swedish national Mika Huotari, 38, was found dead in a bathtub in another apartment just two floors below Mr Caola's. Authorities say the two cases are not connected. Local media outlets report that Mr Huotari had a head injury and CCTV footage captured a woman leaving his room shortly before his body was discovered. Both incidents have raised fresh concerns about the safety of foreign visitors in Pattaya, which continues to draw large numbers of tourists despite its controversial reputation. Thai police say they are awaiting autopsy results before determining the cause of Mr Caola's death.
West Australian
a day ago
- West Australian
Michael Shane Caola: Perth man found facedown in pool of blood in Thailand apartment
A man from Perth has been found dead in an apartment in Thailand where he was discovered facedown in a pool of blood. The 54-year-old is believed to be Michael Shane Caola and was found on the seventh floor of the Grand Shivalay apartment in the beachside city of Pattaya in Thailand according to The Daily Mail. Pattaya City Police investigator, Saijai Khamjulla, confirmed that he received reports of the dead Australian at about 4pm local time on Thursday. When entering the room where Caola's body was, officers reportedly found broken glass and scattered pill bottles but couldn't see any signs of struggle. It was the apartment manager, Thanchanok Prajit, who discovered Caola's body after noticing a foul odour coming from his room. 'He was a regular customer, often seen exercising, probably to take care of his health,' she reportedly said. Shockingly, two hours earlier police discovered the body of a 38-year-old Swedish national in a separate room two floors below in the same building. The Swedish man was found naked near an overflowing bathtub with a one-inch laceration to his forehead and right eyebrow, local media outlet Khaosod reported. 'His case does not involve any woman, unlike the previous case involving a Swedish national who died in the same apartment on the same day,' he said. Caola's Facebook profile reveals a series of photos of him alongside young woman who could be from Thailand and there's also a photo of him at what seems to be his own wedding in April 2016. The beachside city of Pattaya, famous for its sex-for-sale wild nightlife and despite recent efforts to remediate the city's image, crime continues to make international headlines.
Perth Now
a day ago
- Perth Now
Perth man found facedown in pool of blood in Thai apartment
A man from Perth has been found dead in an apartment in Thailand where he was discovered facedown in a pool of blood. The 54-year-old is believed to be Michael Shane Caola and was found on the seventh floor of the Grand Shivalay apartment in the beachside city of Pattaya in Thailand according to The Daily Mail. Pattaya City Police investigator, Saijai Khamjulla, confirmed that he received reports of the dead Australian at about 4pm local time on Thursday. When entering the room where Caola's body was, officers reportedly found broken glass and scattered pill bottles but couldn't see any signs of struggle. It was the apartment manager, Thanchanok Prajit, who discovered Caola's body after noticing a foul odour coming from his room. Perth man Michael Shane Caola (left) was found dead in an apartment in Thailand. Credit: Facebook 'He was a regular customer, often seen exercising, probably to take care of his health,' she reportedly said. Shockingly, two hours earlier police discovered the body of a 38-year-old Swedish national in a separate room two floors below in the same building. The Swedish man was found naked near an overflowing bathtub with a one-inch laceration to his forehead and right eyebrow, local media outlet Khaosod reported. Caola shared a photo of him on Facebook at what seems to be his own wedding in April 2016. Credit: Facebook 'His case does not involve any woman, unlike the previous case involving a Swedish national who died in the same apartment on the same day,' he said. Caola's Facebook profile reveals a series of photos of him alongside young woman who could be from Thailand and there's also a photo of him at what seems to be his own wedding in April 2016. The beachside city of Pattaya, famous for its sex-for-sale wild nightlife and despite recent efforts to remediate the city's image, crime continues to make international headlines.
Bangkok Post
11-07-2025
- Bangkok Post
Tourist in Pattaya robbed of B230,000 by fake police
PATTAYA - A Chinese tourist was abducted, robbed and forced to give up more than 230,000 baht by men posing as police officers in Pattaya. The incident occurred on Thursday at 5.30am, according to Pattaya City Police. Security video captured the moment two men in dark clothing forced the victim into a vehicle in front of a food stall on North Pattaya Road near Pattaya Sai 3 in tambon Na Kluea. A witness, who requested anonymity, said three Chinese men, including the victim, later identified as Lin Yifan, 52, were eating noodles together, and after finishing their meals, they split up, with Mr Lin using an app to call for a ride. While waiting for his ride, a white SUV pulled up, and men in black hoodies got out of the car and pushed Mr Lin into the vehicle. He struggled and tried to escape, but was ultimately dragged into the car, which sped away. The witness did not intervene, believing it was a police arrest. Mr Lin later reported the crime to Pattaya City Police. He said that after he was forced into the car, his hands were tied behind his back and he was threatened with a weapon, though he was unsure if it was a gun. The suspects, who spoke a mix of Thai and English, searched him and stole two iPhones, 15,000 baht in cash and a pair of eyeglasses. He was then released at a shooting range approximately 9km away from the location where he was abducted. He promptly sought help. Investigations revealed that the suspects also transferred 150,000 baht from Mr Lin's Chinese banking application. In total, he lost over 230,000 baht. Police are still looking for the suspects.
Sunday World
26-04-2025
- Sunday World
Irishman in critical condition in Thailand after knife attack
The 34-year-old was stabbed a number of times sustaining slash injuries to his left arm, abdomen, and both legs. The scene of the incident in Thailand An Irish man is in critical condition in a Thai hospital after he was repeatedly stabbed in a sickening early morning attack outside an apartment building in Pattaya city, The 34-year-old was stabbed a number of times sustaining slash injuries to his left arm, abdomen, and both legs. A security guard at the scene said the victim was riding his motorcycle back from a convenience store when, upon pulling up outside the apartment building, an assailant on a motorcycle pulled alongside him and kicked his bike, causing him to fall. The attacker is reported to have then repeatedly stabbed the victim before quickly fleeing the area. The security guard immediately called for help. According to security personnel who witnessed the incident, the attacker was also a foreigner. Police investigating the attack said the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Center received a report at 1:36 a.m. regarding a foreign national who had been attacked in front of a condominium in Soi Thep Prasit 17, Pattaya City. Police patrol officers from Pattaya City Police Station and rescue volunteers rushed to the scene. They said they found the victim severely wounded with slash injuries to his left arm, abdomen, and both legs. He was lying in a pool of blood beside a red-plated Honda ADV 150 motorcycle A folding knife was discovered at the scene, which police collected as evidence. Rescue personnel provide immediate first aid before urgently transporting him to the hospital. Police are currently investigating to identify and apprehend the suspect. Pol. Lt. Col. Chaowalit Suwanmanee, Deputy Superintendent of Pattaya City Police, confirmed that officers have been dispatched to gather evidence and track down the suspect based on descriptions provided by a witness. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward as the investigation continues.
