British ASOS co-founder Quentin Griffiths dies after plunging from 17th-floor condominium balcony in Pattaya Thailand as police investigate mysterious fall

News of a sudden death in Thailand has sent shockwaves through Britain’s fashion and business circles.

Quentin Griffiths, one of the original minds behind online retail giant ASOS, has reportedly died after falling from a high-rise balcony in Pattaya.

He was 58.

What should have been another quiet day in the coastal city instead turned into a developing investigation — one that authorities say is still far from over.

The Fatal Fall from a Pattaya High-Rise

According to reports, Griffiths fell from the 17th floor of his condominium in Pattaya, a seaside city known for its mix of tourism, nightlife, and expat communities.

Emergency services responded quickly and found his body on the ground below the balcony.

Police officials confirmed that there were no obvious signs of a struggle or disturbance inside the apartment.

However, they have not ruled out foul play.

Forensic testing is ongoing, and investigators say the exact cause of death will only be confirmed after a full post-mortem examination — a process that could take months.

A family source described the situation as deeply confusing, saying the term “suspicious circumstances” had been used but that no firm conclusions had yet been reached.

Legal Disputes Cast a Shadow

Griffiths’ death comes against the backdrop of a reported legal dispute involving his Thai ex-wife.

The pair had previously operated a business together, and she allegedly accused him of forging documents to sell land and company shares without her consent.

He denied the accusations.

Last year, authorities reportedly questioned him in connection with the claims, but he was released without charge.

Meanwhile, she was accused of taking £500,000 from the jointly operated company — an allegation that added further strain to an already fractured relationship.

The legal investigation into their financial dealings was said to be ongoing at the time of his death.

The Man Behind ASOS

Long before this tragic end, Quentin Griffiths was known in British business circles as a marketing visionary.

He co-founded ASOS in 2000 alongside Nick Robertson and Andrew Regan.

At the time, online shopping was still in its infancy.

The idea of building a fashion empire purely through digital sales was bold — even risky.

But ASOS quickly tapped into the growing appetite for fast, trend-driven fashion delivered straight to customers’ doors.

Within years, the company evolved into a £3 billion global powerhouse.

Its own-label pieces gained mainstream appeal, with high-profile figures such as Catherine Princess of Wales and Michelle Obama publicly wearing its designs — a major boost to the brand’s global visibility.

Griffiths served as marketing director before stepping away in 2005, just five years after launch.

Though he left early, the foundation he helped build turned ASOS into one of Britain’s most recognisable online retailers.

Financial Success — and Controversy

His exit from ASOS proved lucrative.

He reportedly made around £15 million from share sales in 2010 and later benefited again from stock gains in 2013.

However, financial controversy followed.

Griffiths later sued BDO, claiming the firm gave him flawed advice on tax planning related to share sales.

According to his legal claim, the alleged misguidance cost him more than £4 million in tax on sales exceeding £10 million — including shares in ASOS and Achica, another online retailer he co-founded.

The dispute highlighted how even successful entrepreneurs can find themselves tangled in complex financial battles long after stepping away from their companies.

Life in Thailand

Around 2007, Griffiths relocated to Thailand.

After divorcing his first wife, he married a Thai woman and had two more children — a son and a daughter.

The couple later separated.

Friends say he had built a life there over nearly two decades.

Pattaya, popular among British expatriates, had become home.

Now, that life has ended under circumstances that remain unclear.

What’s Next?

Authorities in Thailand are continuing forensic examinations and investigative procedures.

The post-mortem findings will likely be critical in determining whether the fall was accidental, intentional, or involved any third party.

Legal disputes tied to his former marriage may also undergo review depending on investigative outcomes.

Meanwhile, his family is expected to coordinate with British consular officials regarding repatriation and funeral arrangements.

Until official findings are released, speculation will likely continue — but investigators have stressed that conclusions cannot yet be drawn.

Summary

Quentin Griffiths, 58, British co-founder of ASOS, has died after falling from the 17th floor of his condominium in Pattaya, Thailand.

While there were no immediate signs of a struggle inside his apartment, authorities have not ruled out foul play pending forensic results.

His death comes amid reported legal disputes with his Thai ex-wife over alleged financial misconduct — claims he denied.

Griffiths helped launch ASOS in 2000 and later made millions from share sales, though he also faced tax-related legal battles with his accountants.

As investigations continue, the circumstances surrounding his death remain unresolved — leaving family, friends, and the business community awaiting answers.