Two Swedes die in Thailand

Two Swedish men have been killed in the popular beach resort of Phuket, Thailand, according to reports. A 32-year-old man was crushed to death by a lorry on Sunday (January 23), just three days after a 53-year-old Swedish national was found fatally wounded in his rented apartment. Both incidents happened in the town of Patong, notorious in Thailand for its high crime rate and sleazy nightlife.

According to the Phuket Wan newspaper, the 53-year-old suffered two deep stab wounds to his back as well as cuts from broken glass. Bloody footprints were also reportedly found in the man’s room.

Talking to Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet this week, however, Camilla Akesson Lindblom from the foreign ministry said there was currently no evidence that the man was murdered, adding that it is possible that he simply fell on something sharp.

According to witnesses of the second death, the 32-year-old was riding a motorcycle when he collided with a utility pole and was thrown under the wheels of a passing ice truck. The Phuket Gazette reported that he was crushed by the six-wheel vehicle and died instantly at the scene.

Tobias Nilsson of the foreign affairs ministry confirmed that the Swedish Embassy in Bangkok had been informed of the motorcycle crash. “We have received confirmation from Thailand that this has taken place. The man’s relatives have not yet been informed,” he told Aftonbladet.