A "supremely popular" Brit has been found dead in his hotel room in Thailand.
Simon Brown, known affectionately as Browny, was discovered lifeless at the accommodation on Saturday and an investigation into his death continues. Friends and family are in "total shock and sadness" at the tragedy, and the 47-year-old man's loved ones are fundraising to get his body home.
The machine operator, who lived in Trallwn, part of Pontypridd, south Wales, liked to travel and particularly enjoyed holidays to Thailand, close friend Mark Davies said. Mr Davies added: "It’s just a total shock, it was so unexpected. He wasn’t ill. There was nothing wrong with him. Everyone knew him. He was a crazy bloke - really outgoing and always up for a laugh."
Mr Brown's family says the process to get the man's body back to the UK is lengthy and expensive. They hope to raise £10,000 with their appeal, Wales Online reports. Circumstances around Mr Brown's death are unclear, though, as yet.
"He was a really hard worker as a machine operator and when he wasn’t working he was always on holiday. In particular he loved going to Thailand. We don’t know anything at the moment as to the circumstances around it. It only happened on Saturday so we know very little," Mr Davies continued.
The fundraiser, which so far has raised more than £2,000, reads: "We are asking all those who knew and loved Browny to help us bring him back home. As a family, we are now trying to bring Simon back home so that we can lay him to rest at his home at Swansea. Thanks to all those who have reached out and sent messages of condolence, and we appreciate any help you can give."
Mr Brown visited Thailand several times every year, his family said. It is unclear whereabouts in the Asian country Mr Brown had visited last week, and details around his death remain scare so far.
Approximately 50 donations to the fundraiser have been made so far, including individual large sums. The GoFundMe page, which can be accessed via this link, shows one man gave £500 to the appeal, which was only created on Wednesday.
'Supremely popular' Brit found dead in Thailand hotel room as family launch bid to get body home - Mirror Online