Homicide detectives in Thailand have launched an investigation into the death of a North-East man.

Ivor Chandler, of Skelton, East Cleveland, was found dead in the Phetchabun region of Thailand on Thursday.

Mr Chandler, who was in his mid-50s, had been in the country visiting his girlfriend.The retired ICI worker had been flying out to Thailand on a regular basis for more than four years and last went out there in January.

His shocked cousin from Middlesbrough, who is also called Ivor Chandler, said he found out about his cousin's death only on Sunday when Mr Chandler's sister called to say she was flying out there to find out what had happened.

He said: "He was always flitting off to Thailand. I know he had been going out there a good few years. Then all of a sudden this happened."

He said his cousin had lived alone for years but often visited him in between his trips to Thailand.

"We became closer when his mum died a few years ago. He's a quiet sort of person who retired due to ill health.

"He always seemed quiet enough and was not the type to go out looking for trouble."

He said his cousin had always loved travelling and had got to know a woman out in Thailand.

"He was always going to see his uncle in America and going to Thailand.

"He used to take all his favourite little nibbles and things with him. He used to take enough back to last him.

"He used to upgrade to business class because he travelled so much."

He said Thailand police are questioning a man in connection with the death.

"That's all I know," he said. "We don't even know what the motive was."

A Foreign Office spokesman said today: "We are aware of the death of a British national in Phetchabun. We are providing consular support to the family and the Thai police are investigating the death. We have no more details surrounding the death at the moment."