An American tourist was found dead in his hotel room in Thailand with his hands cuffed and a plastic bag tied over his head.

Police believe that John Michael Walsh, 69, from New York, could have been murdered before he was discovered at the B2 Jomtien Pattaya Hotel in the crime-ridden coastal town on December 2.

Officers were called to the eight-storey building at 1 pm local time, where they found the half-naked holidaymaker lying on the bathroom floor.

He was dressed in only brown shorts, with a black plastic bag covering his head, and his wrists locked in handcuffs behind him.

Officers said there were no signs of assault or ransacking in the room. All of John's belongings were intact, while black rubbish bags and what appeared to be bondage equipment were found on a shelf.

Housekeeper Nam Oi, 50, said she had repeatedly tried to contact the guest to remind him to check out, but he was unresponsive. She then used a spare key to enter the room before discovering his corpse.

Police Lieutenant Suriyah Yuphum of Najomtien Police Station said: ‘We are still in the process of gathering evidence.

‘Our initial assumption is that it was a suicide, as no wounds or signs of assault were found, but we have not ruled out the possibility of murder. That is still a situation being investigated.

‘The security camera footage shows he entered and left the room by himself.'

Investigators said the pensioner had been holidaying alone in the depraved resort town, which is known for its bustling nightlife and seedy red-light attractions.

CCTV footage shows him returning to the hotel at around 4:14 pm on December 1. He had left his blue Nissan Navara pickup truck parked behind the hotel.

Authorities said his body was taken to the Institute of Forensic Medicine to determine the cause of his death. Police said they will notify the US Embassy to inform his relatives of the investigation results and further legal proceedings.

Pattaya has become the country's flagship tourist destination, fuelled by the allure of bars, massage parlours, and cheap sex. It has been dubbed a 'p*rno Disneyland' by some visitors, who can find relationships and experiences not easily available in their homeland.

However, the region is now often seen as tarnishing the wider image of Thailand as a family-friendly holiday destination with stunning beaches, food and a rich history.