Mystery as Irish backpacker, 21, is found dead in hotel room on Koh Tao island

An Irish backpacker has been found dead in a hotel room on Thailand’s infamous island of Koh Tao.

Robby Kinlan, 21, was found lying on his bed by an old friend while staying at the BaanTao Bungalo Resort last week.

He was discovered still holding his phone, which was plugged in and charging, police said today, without confirming a cause of death.

Lt. Col. Theeraphat Sanjai said authorities wanted to send the body for an autopsy but high waves hampered efforts to reach the hospital on the mainland.

Robby’s friends at Dive Academy in Inishmore have since created a crowdfunding to help bring the body home to his grieving mother.

Tracy King, his mother, wrote in a tribute: ‘RIP to my precious son Robby. He rests in this beautiful temple in Koh Tao, Thailand before returning to Ireland.

“I am heartbroken and overwhelmed and so grateful for all the kindness shown to us at this time.”

One of Robby’s friends has reportedly decided to stay with the body on Koh Tao so he is ‘not alone’ while efforts are made to repatriate the avid diver.

More than 37,000 euros have already been raised for Robby’s repatriation.

He was discovered still holding his phone, which was plugged in and charging, police said today

Police search the young traveler’s room after a friend and staff found him unconscious

Robby did not respond when his friend knocked on the door around 11 a.m. on January 9.

The door was locked and staff had to climb inside and tragically found the 21-year-old already dead.

‘It had not been broken into or searched, and there were no signs of any abuse. He died alone in the room,” Sanjai said.

“His friend confirmed that he did not know if he had any pre-existing medical conditions,” he added, noting that there were no alcoholic beverages in the room when police entered.

Authorities are now waiting for rough seas to subside before Robby’s body can be sent to the mainland’s Surat Thai province for a post-mortem examination.

“We have to wait for the wave situation to subside before working with the rescue team, boat and vehicle to transport the body to the forensic department of Surat Thani Hospital,” Sanjai added.

‘We also want to conduct an autopsy as soon as possible to determine the exact cause of death.’

Robby’s body is currently being kept in a temple until it can be sent for an autopsy

Robby stayed at the BaanTao Bungalo Resort on the Thai island

Robby was traveling in Thailand, ‘living his dream… in the place that made him happy’

A fundraising campaign has now been set up on behalf of the family to raise money to bring Robby home.

If he cannot be returned to Ireland, he will be cremated at a Buddhist temple.

Robby was traveling through Thailand and ‘living his dream… in the place that made him happy’ as an avid diver.

“Robby wasn’t just a friend; he was the kind of person who lit up any room with his kindness and warmth,” said a post on the fundraiser.

“He was always the first to help others, without thinking about it.”

Organizers said they want to honor Robby in the best way possible by helping his mother and family.

“We want to give everyone the opportunity to say goodbye and celebrate the incredible person he was.”

Officers said Robby was staying at a resort less than two miles from Sairee Beach where Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were beaten to death in September 2014 – the incident that gave rise to the grim nickname ‘Death Island’.

In the past decade alone, there have been more than a dozen cases of unexplained or suspicious deaths among tourists on the island.

Many believe that cases are being covered up or not properly investigated to protect powerful local interests on the island, which has a long history of violence and corruption.