Brisbane Solicitor Dies On Holiday
A prominent Australian lawyer has died in a massage parlour on Thailand’s Koh Samui island, where Shane Warne also died in 2022. Christopher Saines, 43, served as the CEO of Brisbane-based commercial and property law firm GLG Legal. He was found dead early Monday morning inside the Siam Touch Massage parlour in the Bo Phut subdistrict, according to Thai authorities.
Christopher Saines, CEO of GLG Legal
Police Confirm No Signs Of Struggle
Police Lieutenant Colonel Phumaret Inkong from Bo Phut Police Station confirmed no signs of injury or struggle at the scene. “There were no signs of physical struggle. The masseuse had no injuries either. The massage proceeded normally,” he said. He stated that officers discovered Saines “lying dead” inside the parlour near Chaweng Beach when they arrived around 7am. Saines reportedly visited the massage parlour after leaving his hotel just after midnight.
Saines Chose To Rest After Massage
After finishing a one-hour traditional oil massage, Saines dressed and used the bathroom, then asked to rest on a bed. The masseuse reported hearing him snoring loudly around 4am and decided not to wake him. She resumed serving other customers while he rested. At approximately 6.20am, the masseuse attempted to wake him but found him unresponsive. She then called another staff member for assistance. Emergency responders confirmed Saines had died at the scene.
Saines was found unresponsive after one hour traditional oil massage
Police Investigate White Powder In Pocket
Police located a ziplock bag containing white powder in Saines’ pants pocket during the investigation. “We found a brown zip bag containing a white powdery substance that resembled cocaine in his pants pocket,” Inkong said. “But we can’t confirm it yet, it needs to be sent for lab analysis. 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.” Authorities are awaiting lab results and an autopsy from Surat Thani Hospital. “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,” said Inkong.
Lawyer Found Resting Before Death
Saines had told the masseuse he would rest briefly after his massage and continued sleeping into the early morning. Police believe he died sometime after 4am while still resting on the bed. The massage parlour closed at 3am and staff left him to sleep undisturbed. His wife, Chantho, was notified about his death around 3pm on Monday. The couple had been staying at the Mia Villas resort, where rooms can cost up to $4000 per night. Staff at the resort reportedly searched for Saines when he failed to return on Sunday night.
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Saines’ Professional Background
Saines graduated with a law degree from Queensland University of Technology in 2006. He began his legal career as a solicitor in private practice before moving into senior associate roles at boutique law firms. He later became CEO of GLG Legal in 2014, leading the Brisbane-based firm in commercial and property matters. According to the GLG Legal website, Saines held several prominent legal and advisory positions. “Christopher is an active member of the legal community, being a member of the Queensland Law Society, committee member of the International Bar Association, committee member of Basic Rights, and a board member of Aged Care Review,” the site states. He also served as a management committee member for Basic Rights Queensland and advised Aged Care Reviews from 2015.
Shock In Legal Community
Staff at GLG Legal told news.com.au that Saines had planned to return to work next week. The firm expressed shock at the sudden death of the leading solicitor. His passing has raised concerns within the legal fraternity due to his established presence and contributions to the sector.
Koh Samui Again Under Spotlight
The island of Koh Samui is known for attracting tourists, including high-profile Australians. It was the same island where legendary cricketer Shane Warne died in March 2022 from a heart attack. Authorities have not treated Saines’ death as suspicious but continue to investigate. Police are awaiting toxicology and autopsy results to determine the official cause of death. Saines’ body remains at Surat Thani Hospital pending post-mortem examination.
