British businessman dies in fall from 14th floor of Thai hotel

A British businessman died in an accidental fall from the 15th floor of a five star hotel in Bangkok, police said Saturday.

Tim Doherty, 42, a manager with Bayer Singapore, an arm of the German chemicals and health care company, was found by a gardener on a 4th floor platform at the Shangri-La Hotel after he fell from the balcony of his room Friday.

Police concluded that Doherty slipped and fell by accident, an officer at Bangkok's Yanawa Police Station said on condition of anonymity.

Bernhard Haechler, the hotel's general manager, said the balustrades on the balconies of rooms at the hotel were higher than average and presented no danger for guests.

He said no one witnessed Doherty's fall and that there was no suggestion of foul play.

Doherty's wife had already traveled from Singapore to return her husband's body there, police said. Police did not know Doherty's hometown in Britain.