Brit magazine boss, 73, dies as car ploughs into wall at ‘high speed’ in horror crash in Thailand
Colin Hastings, 73, the publisher of the English-language "Big Chilli" lifestyle magazine, tragically passed away on Monday. Medics and rescuers pulled the unconscious journalist from his Toyota Vios and attempted to revive him with CPR, but were unsuccessful.
He was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:15 p.m.
Police Lieutenant Santichon Hoomart of the Sattahip Police Station stated, "The car may have been traveling at a high speed before the collision. It was found that the driver had an underlying medical condition. We are investigating if this caused the crash."
A homeowner reportedly called the police after Colin's car crashed into their wall.
The officer added, "The victim is not believed to have been drunk. There was no smell of alcohol. There are no other charges in the case, and nobody is under suspicion of any crimes. It was an accident. The driver's insurance will pay for the damage to the wall."
The publisher's body was taken to the Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Bangkok Police Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
His daughter, Angie Hastings, a former actress, shared a picture of her father on Instagram with the caption: "I lost my father - we are still in shock. I just need some time."
Colin was a veteran British journalist with Fleet Street experience who arrived in Bangkok in 1973 and worked on numerous publications with the Bangkok Post and at Media Transasia. He became the first editor of Thailand Tatler in 1991, launching his own expat-focused publication, Big Chilli, the same year.
The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand, where Colin was a longstanding member, remembered his many accomplishments in journalism - and for being a "superb squash player."
Colin's publication, Big Chilli, stated: "It is with heavy hearts that we inform you of the passing of Colin Hastings this afternoon due to a tragic car accident. We are deeply saddened by this loss. Further details will be shared as soon as we receive them. Please keep Colin's family and loved ones in your thoughts during this difficult time."
The magazine has an estimated monthly circulation of 35,000 and is distributed across Bangkok, Phuket, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Rayong, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui.
Staff at the journalist's local pub, The Royal Oak Bangkok, also remembered Colin, a "much-loved" regular.
They said, "Colin had frequented these premises long before most of the staff were born. In all that time, I doubt you will find anybody with a bad word to say about him, certainly not our staff whom he always treated with the utmost respect.
Colin was a member of our Sunday club, an informal group of long-term expat residents who gather every Sunday afternoon in the Oak. I'm not sure Sundays will ever be the same. Our small, tight-knit community has been hit hard by the loss of our dear friend Colin, and we will be holding our own fitting tribute to him in due course."
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