Christopher Saines: Aussie lawyer CEO found dead at a Thai massage parlour in Koh Samui

A prominent Australian lawyer has been found dead at a Thai massage parlour, just minutes from the location where cricket legend Shane Warne passed away in 2022.

Christopher Saines, the 43-year-old CEO of Brisbane-based law firm GLG Legal, was discovered unresponsive around 6am on Monday at the Siam Touch Massage parlour on the popular tourist island of Koh Samui.

Emergency services were called to the shop in Bo Phut, close to the villa where Warne died, around 7am after a masseuse noticed the lawyer wasn’t breathing.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Phumaret Inkong from Bo Phut Police Station said officers found Mr Saines “lying dead” when they arrived at the parlour near Chaweng Beach.

“He had just finished getting a massage, dressed, and went to the bathroom. Then, he asked to sit and rest on the bed for a moment, and he simply fell asleep,” he said.

“The masseuse said that he was snoring so loudly that they had to ask the guests nearby if they wanted to change rooms. He stayed like that until around 3am, when the shop closed, and the masseuse left him to sleep in the room.

“At around 6am, she came back up to wake him, but he didn’t respond. She then called her friend to help check on him. That’s when they discovered that he had passed away. It’s believed that he died some time after 4am.”

Christopher Saines’ family releases statement

Following the shock news of Mr Saines’ sudden death, his family released a statement mourning the passing of a man they said “lived with purpose, passion and drive”.

“It is with unimaginable sorrow that we confirm the sudden passing of a beloved son, brother, husband, father, friend, and colleague, Christopher Saines, who died earlier this week while on holiday with his family in Thailand,” the statement from the family of Christopher Saines said.

“Christopher was a deeply loved member of our family and a remarkable person whose presence brought light to us.

“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. He lived with purpose, passion, and drive.”

Mr Saines was described by his family as a “dedicated family man”.

“Christopher leaves behind his loving wife and two young children,” the statement said.

“He was a dedicated family man and a remarkable father. He will be remembered by us as a warm, loving, and caring person.

“We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support we’ve received during this incredibly painful time from our friends, colleagues, and the broader public.”

Mr Saines was staying with his family at $4,000-a-night boutique hotel, Villa Mia. Police believe he left the luxury villa around midnight and paid 400 baht ($AU 19) for a one-hour traditional oil massage.

Initial inquiries indicate that the lawyer died of heart failure, the Daily Mail reported.

Mr Inkong revealed that officers found a zip lock bag in Mr Saines’ trouser pocket, containing a white powdered substance.

“We can’t confirm it yet, it needs to be sent for lab analysis,” he said.

“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.”

Mr Inkong said police are not treating Mr Saines’ death as suspicious, as there appeared to be no sign of physical struggle or injury.

“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,” he said.

Mr Saines’ wife was informed of her husband’s death at 3pm on Tuesday.

His body is now at Surat Thani Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Mr Saines has been described as an “active member of the legal community” in a biography on the GLG website.

He was 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.

Mr Saines family on Wednesday asked for privacy as they navigated grief, noting that police were still investigating the incident.