A British tourist died after being attacked in Thailand by a gang of would-be robbers, Thai police confirmed today.
The British Foreign Office named the victim as James Edward Hall from Sunderland. Thai police said the 57-year-old was set upon by men who planned to steal cash from him.
Mr Hall's body was discovered near a bungalow on Chang Island's Sai Khao beach yesterday. Lieutenant Supin Naoprakson said the three Thais - twoaged 18 and one 20 - were arrested last night and had previously worked as labourers for Mr Hall, who was building a property on the island.
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We can confirm James Edward Hall has died. "We are liaising with police in Thailand and police in the UK. We are trying to trace next of kin."