A Canadian tourist died in a freak accident when he slipped on hotel steps and cracked his head on a Buddhist statue placed there for good luck.

The holidaymaker Giroud Gilbert, 66, was walking back to his room when he tripped on the three-step stairs at a resort in Jomtien Beach, Pattaya on December 4.

He reportedly smashed his head on a stone carving of a female dancer that had been placed near the entrance as a good luck shrine.

Shocked hotel staff discovered Giroud lying face down on the ground. They called the emergency services but he had already died when paramedics arrived and they could not revived him.

Pictures and video from the scene show where the base of the statue was struck by the tourist's head. The monument itself was not harmed outside the lobby at the Royal Thai Pavilion Hotel.

Police Lieutenant Phuttarak Sonkhamhan, Deputy Chief of Investigation of the Pattaya City Police, said they received a report at 3:34 pm. They found the Canadian lying face-down at the base of the statue wearing a shirt, shorts, and sneakers.

The police officer said: 'We inspected the deceased's room on the 9th floor and found only three suitcases containing clothes and personal items, a laptop computer and a charger.

'On the shelf above the refrigerator, a box of medicine and a syringe were found, which are believed to be his medicine, so they were collected as evidence.

'We do not believed there there was nobody else involved in the tourist's death. He fell by himself and hit his head on the statue.'

The tourist had been staying at the hotel since December 2 and was due to leave on December 9. Resort staff believe he had been returning from an afternoon workout when the freak slip happened.

Police have yet to check the CCTV footage from the corridor outside Giroud's room to see if he had any guests recently. They said the the staff in charge of the cameras was away on holiday.

The Canadian's body was taken to the Bang Lamung Hospital for a post-mortem exam. Authorities were coordinating with the Canadian Embassy to inform his family.

In Thailand, placing Buddhist statues outside homes is a common practice rooted in cultural and religious traditions. Followers believe it brings guardianship, blessings and displays their devotion to Buddhism.

Many people place offerings, such as flowers, incense, or candles, near these statues to seek guidance and good fortune.