A MAN has been found dead in an apartment in Thailand, just weeks after he left his job at a Bolton publishing firm.

Paul Mason, was discovered with stab wounds in the Bangkok apartment he shared with his Thai girlfriend.

Mr Mason, aged 27 of Falmer Close, Brandlesholme, Bury, was stabbed in the chest and died on his way to hospital in the Thai capital.

His girlfriend Surasada Tabtim, aged 23, alerted a security guard at the block who called an ambulance following the incident on Thursday.

She is reported to be in a critical condition at one of the city's hospitals.

Mr Mason had travelled to Thailand on February 10 to start a new career teaching people how to speak English and had rented the apartment five days later.

Lieutenant Colonel Suchart Kaewsui of Klongton police station said a blood stained knife and a small quantity of marijuana had been found during a search of the apartment.

Lt Colonel Kaewsui said: "We don't know what the motive of the killing was since there were no known witnesses. The Thai woman was stabbed and is not yet in a condition to talk."

Shocked former colleagues at Mr Mason's previous employers at UK Construction Magazine, based in Bridgeman Street on the outskirts of Bolton town centre, have paid tribute to him.

He had worked in the production department for two and a half years before setting off on his travels.

The editor said: "He was unique and a very caring person. We were very shocked to hear about his death."

She added: "His message was always one of peace and love which makes it more tragic really. Everyone here would like to send their sympathy to his family."

Mr Mason is the second Briton found dead in the kingdom in a month.

The body of a British national living in Thailand was found in a river after a group of men had apprently shot and stabbed him in early February.

Mr Mason's parents were too upset to talk about the incident.