An esteemed British author who received an MBE has passed away following a tragic incident in Thailand where he was struck by a motorbike rider. Barry Kenyon, aged 84 and hailing from Lancashire, was hit by the motorbike as he was crossing the road on his way to meet friends for dinner in Pattaya on Saturday evening. The collision occurred near a central reservation close to traffic lights, resulting in Kenyon falling to the ground. He was quickly rushed to a nearby hospital in Lancashire, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Prior to his retirement in 1995, Kenyon had a distinguished career as a policeman and headteacher. After relocating to Thailand, he served as a British Honorary Consul and managed the local bridge club.
Authorities have initiated an investigation into the accident on Thappraya Road. Lieutenant Akrapong Saenputawong, deputy investigation officer at Pattaya City Police Station, disclosed that the collision took place on October 18, 2025, around 7 pm. The motorbike rider, identified as Mr. Rana Mama, a 38-year-old Bangladeshi national, collided with Barry Kenyon, who was crossing the road near the Pattaya intersection just as the traffic light was changing. The accident occurred outside a designated crosswalk. Law enforcement is currently analyzing CCTV footage to ascertain the precise cause of the incident. Alcohol testing confirmed that the motorcyclist was not intoxicated at the time of the collision.
Following the tragic event, friends and acquaintances have expressed their heartfelt condolences for the late author. One friend, George Albert, lauded Kenyon as a gentleman who will be deeply missed. Albert reminisced about Kenyon’s insightful discussions on intricate topics like immigration and taxation, noting his adeptness at navigating Thai regulations and fostering cultural understanding among locals and expatriates.
