An esteemed British author who received an MBE honor has passed away following a tragic accident in Thailand involving an out-of-control motorbike rider.
Barry Kenyon, aged 84 and hailing from Lancashire, was hit by a motorcyclist while crossing the road on his way to meet friends for dinner in Pattaya on a Saturday evening. The collision occurred near some traffic lights at a central reservation, leading to Kenyon falling and being rushed to a local hospital in Lancashire, where he later died. Prior to his retirement in 1995, Kenyon had served as both a policeman and a headteacher. Upon relocating to Thailand, he became the British Honorary Consul and managed the local bridge club.
Authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident that took place on Thappraya Road. Lieutenant Akrapong Saenputawong, the deputy investigation officer at Pattaya City Police Station, reported that the collision involved a motorcycle ridden by a 38-year-old Bangladeshi national named Mr. Rana Mama and Barry Kenyon, a British pedestrian.
According to Saenputawong, the accident occurred around 7 pm on October 18, 2025, in front of Rung Ruang Company near the Pattaya intersection. The collision happened as Kenyon was crossing the road just before the traffic light was due to change, coinciding with the presence of the Bangladeshi motorcyclist passing by. The site of the incident was not a designated crosswalk, and investigations are ongoing with the aid of CCTV footage to ascertain the exact cause of the crash.
Subsequent blood alcohol testing revealed that the motorcyclist was not under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. Unfortunately, Kenyon succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
Devastated friends of the late author have expressed their condolences, with one friend fondly remembering him as a “gentleman” who will be greatly missed. Additionally, George Albert, a close pal, praised Kenyon for his insightful discussions on intricate topics like immigration and taxation, highlighting his profound knowledge of Thai laws and his talent for bridging cultural divides, which earned him admiration from both local authorities and expatriates.