Mystery as Irish backpacker, 21, found dead inside hotel room on Thai island

A backpacker from Ireland has been found dead inside his hotel room on the island of Koh Tao, Thailand.

The body of Robby Kinlan, 21, was discovered by a friend at the BaanTao Bungalow resort on 9 January at around 11am local time.

According to police, he was 'only wearing boxer shorts' while holding his phone in one hand as it was charging.

Kinlan was staying in Koh Tao, known by locals as 'Death Island', which is 250 miles of Thai capital Bangkok. The island was given that name due to its reputation for murders and mystery deaths.

Backpacker Robby Kinlan, 21, was found dead in a hotel room in Thailand (ViralPress)

His body is waiting to be sent to mainland for a post mortem examination.

"Rest in peace my precious son Robby," Kinlan's mother, Tracy King from Clare in Munster, Ireland, said on GoFundMe. "He is resting in this beautiful Temple in Koh Tao, Thailand, before his removal back to Ireland."

"I'm heartbroken and overwhelmed and so very grateful for all the kindness being shown to us at this time. Thanks to all friends and family.

"Robby wasn't just a friend - he was the kind of person who lit up every room with his kindness and warmth. He was always the first to help others, putting their needs before his own without a second thought.

"In Thailand, he was surrounded by many friends and he was living his dream, spending his days doing what he loved - freediving and scuba diving in the place that made him happy.

The body was discovered by a friend at the BaanTao Bungalo Resort on 9 January (ViralPress)

"Now, we want to honor Robby in the best way we can by helping his mum and family. We want to give everyone the chance to say their goodbyes and celebrate the incredible person he was."

Lieutenant Colonel Theeraphat Sanjai added: "The death seems to be acute heart failure. We are preparing to send the body for an autopsy, but the reason we haven't been able to send it yet is due to the high waves on Koh Tao at the moment.

"We need to wait for the situation with the waves to subside before we can coordinate with the rescue team, boat, and vehicle to transport the body to the forensic department in Surat Thani Hospital. We also want to conduct the autopsy as soon as possible to determine the exact cause of death."

Sanjai said when they got there, the staff couldn't open the door because it was locked from the inside.

"They had to find a way to climb in and discovered that he had died in the room. The room had not been broken into or searched, and there were no signs of any assault. He died alone in the room."

Police said the phone was locked when they got there (ViralPress)

"Currently, the body is still at Koh Tao. We have not yet received any contact from his relatives. The embassy is in touch with them, and we are still waiting for communication from his family.

"When he passed away, he was still lying in bed, charging his phone and holding it in his hand, as if he had been using it when he died. He was only wearing boxer shorts. We could not see what was on the phone.

"There were no alcoholic beverages found in his room, though we're not sure if he had been drinking from outside. We have reported the matter to the Irish Embassy in Bangkok."

LADbible Group has contacted the Irish Embassy for comment.