British tourist, 71, under investigation after 'decaying corpse' of Thai prostitute found in hotel room
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A British tourist is under investigation in Thailand after the decomposing body of a sex worker was found in his Pattaya hotel room, with the man claiming he did not realise she was dead for four days.
Bearach Beataidh, 71, from County Down, Northern Ireland, was seen with Duangta Khampongsom, 45, entering his guest house room on December 18.
The woman's half-naked body was discovered on Sunday after a building caretaker noticed a foul odour and used a spare key to enter the room.
Beataidh was later found at a nearby bar, where he told police that he was aware of the body but did not report it as he "did not know she was dead".
A British tourist is under investigation in Thailand after the decomposing body of a sex worker was found in his Pattaya hotel room, with the man claiming he did not realise she was dead for four days (Stock)
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CCTV footage shows Beataidh and Khampongsom walking together along the hotel corridor on the evening of December 18, with the woman wearing a black shirt and white cap.
The pair had been seen kissing and holding hands before entering his room at the guest house.
Four days later, on December 22, Beataidh was captured on camera emerging from the room checking both sides of the hallway.
Building caretaker Prayoon Chinsai, 57, alerted police that morning after detecting a strong odour from the room.
Upon entering with a spare key, he discovered the woman's decomposing body on the bed.
Police Captain Puttharak Sonkhamhan said that the woman had been dead for at least three days, saying: "It would be hard not to notice she was dead as her body was already decomposing. There was also fluid and blood on the bed."
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The woman was found wearing only denim shorts, though police found no signs of struggle in the room.
Beataidh claimed he had invited Khampongsom to stay after she was allegedly assaulted by an unknown attacker, and informed police: "She kept vomiting and sleeping the whole time, but I did not think it was anything abnormal." He denied hurting or killing the deceased.
Bar owner Kaew, 65, described Khampongsom as an "alcoholic" and a "regular heavy drinker", claiming to have witnessed Beataidh rejecting Khampongsom on the night of December 18.
A former co-worker, Pim, 46, also confirmed the victim's drinking problems, commenting: "Duangta had known the British man for less than two weeks. I don't think he killed her, but I find it strange that she died in his room."
Pattaya was once a fishing village, gaining prominence in the 60s when Americans who were stationed in Thailand visited the city to relax (Stock)
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The victim's body has been taken to Bang Lamung Hospital for post-mortem examination, with doctors yet to determine the cause of death.
Police Captain Puttharak said officers are continuing to question Beataidh over his "bizarre statements".
"Forensic police are continuing to collect fingerprints and DNA because we do not believe his testimony," the captain added.
As officers continue to review all CCTV footage from the premises, Beataidh, who holds both British and Irish passports, was summoned to the police station for further questioning.
Pattaya, where the incident occurred, was originally a fishing village that gained prominence in the 1960s when American troops stationed at military bases in Thailand visited for rest and relaxation breaks.
It later developed into a popular destination for sex tourism.
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