File photo: Local media had reported that the man was "Irish".

Reports claiming that an Irishman had plunged to his death in Thailand have turned out to be false after authorities misread his passport.

Local media had reported that the man had become distressed after learning that his "Irish" property was being repossessed which led to him jumping from a 36th-floor balcony.

However, the man's 47-year-old Thai girlfriend has told the Irish Independent that he is from England.

She said emergency services and journalists misinterpreted the man's UK passport which reads: "The United Kingdom of Great Britan and Northen Ireland," on the front.

"They just saw Ireland, most Thai's know English people are from England they don't know the country by the United Kingdom of Great Britan," she said.

"I told them he was upset because he had money problems at home, and the government were taking his house. They must have just assumed it was in Ireland.

"It's just a misunderstanding," she added.

A spokesperson for The Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that they had received a call in relation to the incident but said they were not providing consular assistance.

Online Editors