Australian business owner, 37, found dead in Thailand after Full Moon Party

A British expat who had been working and living in Sydney for years has been found dead in Thailand. WARNING: Graphic

A British man who had been working and living in Australia has been found dead in Thailand.

Christopher Stephen Boucher, from Sydney’s Northern Beaches, was at a Full Moon Party on the island of Koh Phangan before he was found on the steps of a 7-Eleven store about 6.30am on Monday.

The 37-year-old, originally from Kent in southeastern England, is understood to have been on his way home from Sunday’s party when he visited an ATM to withdraw money to pay a local who had taken him back to his hotel.

Local police are searching for the person who gave him the ride.

“Officers are checking CCTV to find out who took the tourist back and why they left,” Koh Phangan Police’s Lieutenant Colonel Arun Kamlangkeo said, confirming Mr Boucher was British with Australian residency.

Christopher Stephen Boucher, 37, was found dead on Monday in Thailand after attending the notorious Full Moon Party. Picture: Asia Pacific Press

Mr Boucher ran a cleaning company in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, where he lived.

A housemate spoke briefly to news.com.au when a reporter visted on Wednesday, saying Mr Boucher was a “beautiful man”.

She claimed not to know his cause of death.

Mr Bouchar’s parents Stephen and Jennifer Boucher told news.com.au they were “devastated”.

“We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son, Christopher,” they said. “Christopher was a wonderful, kind, thoughtful person who was loved by all those that knew him. He had so many close friends who were like family to him. Our grief for the loss of our son is tempered by the outpouring of love and affection for him from all those that knew him in Australia and the United Kingdom.

“Our world has changed forever, but we will cherish our wonderful memories of Christopher.”

Mr Boucher lived above a bottle shop on a busy Manly road, with the apartment doubling as head office for the cleaning business he started in 2017.

According to his company’s website, he had a background in five-star hotel housekeeping and had worked as a hotel quality inspector before founding Northern Beaches Cleaning Service in 2014.

Police and paramedics had arrived at the 7-Eleven around 7.20am but they were unable to revive the tourist.

“Officers are currently questioning witnesses who claimed to have seen him drunk at Hat Rin Beach where the party was held,” Lieutenant Colonel Arun said.

“After the party, he tried to find a car to return to his accommodation, but he had no cash.

“He couldn’t pay the fare, but he met a local and asked to be taken to his hotel. He promised to pay after withdrawing money. The local agreed and dropped him off at the hotel. He was said to have been visibly exhausted before he died.

“He might have partied all night until the morning and passed out due to lack of sleep. We are questioning the person who gave him a ride home. We are also reviewing security camera footage.”

The British expat ran a cleaning business where he lived in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Picture: Asia Pacific Press

Mr Boucher’s body was taken to Koh Phangan Hospital for further examination.

“There were no signs of assault, so we believe he might have been drunk or overdosed,” Lieutenant Colonel Arun alleged.

“His blood test results are still pending, but we have already informed the British Embassy of his passing.”

Police said his body showed no signs of assault and they were awaiting blood test results. Picture: Asia Pacific Press

The Full Moon Party is an all-night beach party on the island of Koh Phangan.

The party takes place on the night of every full moon and is usually attended by thousands of backpackers.

However, the event has become a notorious celebration filled with cheap drink and drugs. With cannabis now legal on the island, magic mushrooms, kratom, methamphetamine and LSD are also widely available.

Last year, a YouTube chef killed and chopped up his lover who was attending the Full Moon Party with him.

Daniel Sancho Bronchalo, the son of two Spanish film stars, was sentenced to life behind bars in August.