US man allegedly vandalises luxury home before drowning in Samut Prakan

A 31-year-old American man drowned after jumping into a lake while fleeing police in a luxury housing estate in Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan on Tuesday, following a reported episode in which he vandalised the home he was renting.

Rescue divers recovered his body from the lake after a search lasting about 30 minutes, according to Thai News Agency.

According to security guards at the estate, the man arrived at the entrance in a hired vehicle and attempted to pay the driver 1,000 baht.

The driver refused to accept the money because of his unusual behaviour.

The man then began shouting and rolling on the ground.

The guards alerted police and, when they arrived, he ran and jumped into the lake.

He initially swam, but appeared to become exhausted before disappearing under the water.

His 22-year-old girlfriend told police that they had been in a relationship for three years and had moved into the rented house together about three months ago.

She said he had never shown signs of abnormal behaviour before.

During the night before the incident, he reportedly used paint to vandalise the interior of the house, smearing it across walls, floors and furniture.

The girlfriend said she is unaware whether he had used illegal drugs.

The owner of the house, valued at about 22 million baht, said he was shocked by the extent of the damage.

The house had been rented out for 35,000 baht a month after the tenants had been carefully screened.

Police searching the house and vehicle found two syringes on the seat of his car and unidentified white tablets in a waist bag.

His body has been sent for autopsy, including toxicology tests.

Police are also coordinating with the US Embassy to notify the man's family.

Photos by Thai News Agency