Ross Mobbs had spent the past five weeks holidaying in Europe and Asia.
The 30-year-old fell four storeys from the balcony of a room at the Chillax Resort in Bangkok after spending the night drinking with friends, police say. Officers were alerted about about 11.50pm on Monday (early Tuesday, NZ time).
Mr Mobbs' body was found by hotel workers on the terrace of the five-storey resort, in the Phra Nakon district, near the popular backpacker centre Khao San Rd.
Police said Mr Mobbs was dead by the time they arrived. "There was nothing we could do, '' Deputy investigator Utai Wangtan told Thai media.
Mr Mobbs had worked in the kitchens of University of Otago student halls Knox College and Salmond College, a statement from the heads of the colleges said today.
Salmond College head Maurie Jackways said Mr Mobbs had worked in the kitchens since 2009.
"Since news came through yesterday that our much-loved colleague Ross Mobbs died in a tragic accident in Thailand, we have been in shock,'' Mr Jackways said.
"He will be remembered as a good-natured friend and colleague who possessed a ready wit, an adventurous nature and a love for travel.''
Staff of the colleges would hold a private get-together to remember Mr Mobbs and grieve at the Knox Chapel this afternoon.
"We will light a candle in memory of him and provide space for folk to offer their own tributes, spoken and unspoken,'' he said.
Police believe Mr Mobbs had been drinking with three of his friends in room 420 on the fourth floor of the hotel, but decided to call it a night and return to adjacent room. But instead of using the door, Mr Mobbs climbed over the railing of a balcony. He lost grip and was no longer able to pull himself up.
Police were trying to reconstruct the events based on his friends' testimonies.
Fairfax have reported a hotel spokeswoman as saying it appeared Mr Mobbs had tried to climb from his balcony to the room next door, where a friend was sleeping, when he fell.
A trio of New Zealanders – Mr Mobbs, another man and a woman - had been drinking beer and it was believed that Mr Mobbs was drunk at the time, the spokeswoman said.
A medical examination would be held to confirm the cause of death.
The New Zealand Embassy had been notified of the incident.
Mr Mobbs' family did not wish to comment.
