Australian lawyer Christopher Saines dead in Thailand massage parlour

The family of commercial lawyer Christopher Saines have remembered him as a ‘remarkable person’ after he was found dead following a late-night massage on the island of Koh Samui.

Brisbane lawyer Christopher Saines has died in Thailand.

An Australian lawyer has been found dead in a Thai massage parlour while on holiday with his family has been remembered for his “unwavering commitment” to his friends and family.

Commercial and property law firm GLG Legal chief executive Christopher Saines was found dead early on Monday morning local time on the island of Koh Samui – the same island where cricket icon Shane Warne died three years ago.

Mr Saines’ family, in a statement released through the firm, said he was a “deeply loved member of our family and a remarkable person whose presence brought light to us”.

“It is with unimaginable sorrow that we confirm the sudden passing of a beloved son, brother, husband, father, friend, and colleague, Christopher Saines, who died earlier this week while on holiday with his family in Thailand,” the statement read.

“At just 43, Christopher had already made a profound impact through his professional achievements and his unwavering commitment to the people and causes he cared about most. He lived with purpose, passion, and drive.”

Mr Saines leaves behind his wife and two children.

“He was a dedicated family man and a remarkable father. He will be remembered by us as a warm, loving, and caring person,” the statement read. “We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support we’ve received during this incredibly painful time from our friends, colleagues, and the broader public.”

The family asked for privacy “as we navigate our grief and make the appropriate arrangements”.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Phumaret Inkong of Bo Phut Police Station, according to local media, said officers found Mr Saines dead when they arrived at the Chaweng Beach parlour.

“He had just finished getting a massage, dressed, and went to the bathroom. Then, he asked to sit and rest on the bed for a moment, and he simply fell asleep,” Mr Inkong said, adding that there was no sign of injury or struggle.

“The masseuse said that he was snoring so loudly that they had to ask the guests nearby if they wanted to change rooms. He stayed like that until around 3am, when the shop closed, and the masseuse left him to sleep in the room.

“At around 6am, she came back up to wake him, but he didn’t respond. She then called her friend to help check on him. That’s when they discovered that he had passed away. It’s believed that he died some time after 4am.”

Mr Inkong reportedly said officers found a ziplock bag containing a white powder in Mr Saines’ trouser pocket, which “needs to be sent for lab analysis”.

A masseuse, according to local outlet Thaiger, told officers Mr Saines arrived at the parlour alone, walking barefoot, and asked for a massage.

“After we finished, he said he wanted to lie down and rest. I left him for a while, and when I came back, he was still snoring,” she said. “It wasn’t until much later I realised he wasn’t breathing.”

Warne passed away at a luxury villa on Koh Samui on March 4, 2022 following a suspected heart attack.