The family of British man Aaron Campbell, found dead in a Bangkok hotel room in March last year, has rejected Thai authorities' finding that he died of a drug overdose, with a UK coroner also declining to accept that conclusion. Nottingham coroner Helena Gallagher recorded an open conclusion after ruling that the Thai post-mortem lacked crucial details on drug levels in his system, while a UK examination could not establish a definitive cause of death. The case matters because it highlights ongoing difficulties British families face getting cooperation from Thai authorities after a citizen's death abroad, and raises fresh concerns about drink-spiking targeting tourists.

Mr Campbell, 27, a health-conscious traffic management worker from Retford, Nottinghamshire, was discovered after failing to check out ahead of his flight home, having earlier told a friend he felt "sick" after drinking a beer. The Thai post-mortem found morphine in his urine and attributed death to an overdose, but the coroner said this report gave no indication of concentration levels or whether the amount was fatal or therapeutic. A UK post-mortem also detected morphine along with the painkillers Tapentadol and Tramadol, but none in excessive concentrations, leaving the cause of death "unascertained". His mother, Moira Campbell, said her son never used drugs, was not a heavy drinker, and believes his drink may have been spiked, criticising Thai officials for refusing to engage with the family's inquiries.