Australian who swallowed 60 drug-filled condoms dies in Thailand

Bangkok (ANTARA News) - A 51-year-old Australian man who swallowed 60 condoms stuffed with hashish has died in hospital in southern Thailand, police said Friday.

John Paul Jones died in Surat Thani hospital on April 19 from internal infections after some of the condoms burst while he was smuggling the drugs to sell at the famous full moon beach party on Ko Phangan, near Ko Samui, early this month. Both islands are popular tourist destinations.

Jones was rushed to hospital on April 11 by his friends. Doctors treating him for stomach pains found the drug-filled condoms in his intestine, some of which had apparently burst days earlier.

"Since he was hospitalised the doctor said his condition was 50-50," local police officer Lieutenant Colonel Songyos Chotesurat told AFP.

Police have now dismissed drug trafficking charges against him due to his death. (*) end