The family of a high-flying Queensland lawyer and CEO found dead in Thailand on Monday have told of their ‘unimaginable sorrow’ over his passing.
Christopher Saines, 43, was found unresponsive at Siam Touch Massage parlour on the Thai holiday island of Koh Samui about 6am on Monday.
Police believe Mr Saines had left his $4,000-a-night hotel, Villa Mia, where he was staying with his wife Chantho and their young son and daughter, around midnight.
On Tuesday, his heartbroken family remembered Mr Saines as ‘deeply loved’.
‘Christopher was a remarkable person whose presence brought light to us,’ a statement issued by his law firm said.
‘Christopher leaves behind his loving wife and two young children. He was a dedicated family man and a remarkable father.
‘He will be remembered by us as a warm, loving, and caring person.’
His wife is a manager at Brisbane GLG Legal where Mr Saines was the chief executive. It’s understood Mr Saines’ brother is a senior employee at the firm.
Christopher Saines reportedly died of heart failure. His dead is not being treated as suspicious
Christopher’s legal firm released an emotional statement of behalf of the Saines family
Christopher is seen with his longtime wife Chantho, with their young daughter and son
‘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,’ the family added.
‘He lived with purpose, passion and drive.’
It’s understood Mr and Mrs Saines were in Thailand ahead of his 44th birthday on July 18.
Police told local media he had paid 400baht, AUD$19, for a one-hour traditional oil massage.
Emergency services arrived at the Bo Phut massage parlour about 7am after workers raised the alarm when they discovered the lawyer wasn’t breathing.
Initial inquiries suggest the 43-year-old died of heart failure.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Phumaret Inkong said officers found a ziplock bag containing a white powder, suspected to be cocaine, in Mr Saines’ trouser pocket.
‘But we can’t confirm it yet, it needs to be sent for lab analysis,’ he said.
Police say he visited the Koh Samui massage parlour barefoot at midnight with a beer in hand
It’s understood Mrs Saines and the two children were at the nearby, $4000 per night, Villa Mia
‘From initial field testing using police reagents, it’s presumed to be an illegal drug, but we’re not sure if it’s actually cocaine.’
Masseuse Premyupa, 47, told local outlet Thaiger that Mr Saines had arrived at the parlour alone and was walking barefoot.
‘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.’
Premyupa last heard Mr Saines ‘snoring’ at about 4am and claimed when she returned to wake him two hours later, he was cold and unconscious.
Police and medics from Koh Samui Hospital found him on a narrow bed inside one of the shop’s private upstairs rooms.
The lawyer was lying horizontally across the bed with his legs dangling over the side. No foam was found around his mouth.
Lieutenant Colonel Inkong said police are not treating Mr Saines’ death as suspicious.
High-flying lawyer Mr Saines has been together with his wife for some time
Mrs Saines’ social media showed a dad who was devoted to his children
The Saines family paid tribute to Christopher as a dedicated family man and remarkable father
Mrs Saines shared this image of her husband on a previous beachside holiday
‘There were no signs of physical struggle. The masseuse had no injuries either. The massage proceeded normally,’ he said.
‘Right now we are waiting for the results of the drug test and the autopsy report, which may take several days depending on the case, but we will try to expedite it as quickly as possible.’
While there were no CCTV cameras inside the massage parlour, which offers sexual services, police found footage outside the shop which showed Mr Saines arriving barefoot and carrying a can of beer.
Mr Saines’ wife was informed of his death at 3pm on Tuesday.
His body has been taken to Surat Thani Hospital for post-mortem examination.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
