Bangkok: Close friends and family are mourning the unexpected passing of Ray MacDonald, a renowned actor and television host. His wife revealed that she initially thought Ray was pretending to be asleep, a playful habit of his, but tragically, he did not wake up despite several attempts to rouse him. She expressed, "He must have been very tired and wanted to retire." Meanwhile, close friends Leo Putt and Tar Barbie commented that their friend's journey isn't over, just changing form, and wished him a safe journey.
According to Thai News Agency, at approximately 7:30 this morning, police from Prawet Police Station, along with forensic doctors from the Police Hospital, officers from the Forensic Science Division, and volunteers from the Poh Teck Tung Foundation, arrived at the scene to investigate. They found the body of Ray MacDonald, a 49-year-old famous actor and TV host, lying lifeless on the floor of his home in Suan Luang District, Bangkok. Emergency personnel attempted CPR but were unsuccessful.
Mrs. Sarinya Macdonald, the wife of the deceased, explained through tears that she discovered her husband on the sofa in front of the TV around 6:20 AM. She tried to wake him up for their child's first day of school, but he remained unresponsive. CCTV footage showed Ray watching television around midnight before slumping into what appeared to be a sleeping position, leading Sarinya to believe nothing was amiss.
Close friend Leo Putt shared that Ray had no known health issues and speculated that his lack of sleep might have contributed to his sudden death. Ray MacDonald was known for his love of travel and intense work ethic, often spending his downtime with his family. Leo emphasized that Ray's journey wasn't over but merely transforming.
Tar Barbie, another close friend, echoed similar sentiments, mentioning her constant work-related thoughts and expressing relief that Ray could finally rest. She noted their deep understanding of each other's feelings and wished Ray happiness on his new journey.
Police investigations found no evidence of foul play, and family members confirmed that Ray had no pre-existing health conditions. The body has been sent to the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Police Hospital, for an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death. The family plans to hold a religious ceremony at Wat Yang, a royal temple.
Ray MacDonald, born on May 21, 1977, in Roi Et province, was of Thai-Scottish descent. He gained fame in the 1990s as the host of "Teen Talk" and starred in several successful films. His accolades include the Suphanahong National Film Award for Best Leading Actor and the 7th Kom Chad Luek Award for Best Supporting Actor. Recently, he reunited with friends Leo Putt and Tar-Paopon Thephastin Na Ayutthaya for a YouTube show called "Tid Kui" and starred in the film "Friends, Lovers, and Secret Lovers," released in July.