Beloved actor found dead at home aged 49 as tragic cause of death confirmed

Actor and TV presenter Ray MacDonald passed away at home on August 19 at the age of 49, and his cause of death has been announced. The Thai-Scottish star's wife, Sirinya Jintanawararak, discovered him unresponsive on a sofa at their residence at around 6.20am. She attempted to rouse him before alerting the emergency services, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. CCTV footage reviewed by Prawet Police Station subsequently showed him collapsing onto the sofa at around 12.12am.

An autopsy showed that he died from blockages in three coronary arteries, resulting in insufficient blood flow to the heart, his close friend Bhudhipong Sreewatana said. His friend said that the doctors had told the family that his condition would have been similar to falling asleep before he gradually lost consciousness.

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The father-of-one was amongst the most recognisable faces in Thai entertainment to emerge during the 1990s, working across film, television, modelling and travel programming. An award-winning actor, he received the Best Actor award at the Thailand National Film Association Awards for his performance in the 1997 film Fun Bar Karaoke.

The following year, he claimed the same accolade for his role in O-Negative, a Thai romantic drama that captivated audiences throughout the country. In 2009 he secured the Best Supporting Actor prize at the 7th Kom Chad Luek Awards for his portrayal in Dear Galileo.

Away from the big screen, he forged a thriving career as a travel presenter on programmes such as Teen Talk and Roam Alone, which are credited with transforming travel programming in Thailand.

He subsequently founded Rayron, a travel platform bringing together stories and creators with different approaches to exploring the world, which helped inspire an entirely new generation of content creators.

Heartfelt tributes poured in for the star as grief-stricken fans digested the devastating news of his passing.

"RIP Ray! My wife and I really enjoyed watching your YouTube travel vids. Sending my deepest condolences to your family and friends during this difficult time," one user wrote on Facebook.

"Thank you, Roaming RayMac, for inspiring us to explore the world, live freely, and stay true to ourselves. Your adventurous spirit and kindness will never be forgotten," another commented.

A third added: "You may be gone, but your legacy and unforgettable memories live on. Rest in power, P' Ray McDonald."

Meanwhile, a fourth shared: "You may be gone, but your legacy and unforgettable memories live on. Rest in power, P' Ray McDonald."