The family of Stephen Ashton are heading to Koh Phangan after he was killed by a stray bullet during a fight between two gangs.

Stephen Ashton, 22, was hit by a stray bullet after getting caught in the crossfire of a gunfight between rival gangs on the island of Koh Phangan.

His family members will meet the UK’s ambassador to Thailand, Mark Kent, on Thursday.

He warned of risks to Western tourists, and urged people to read the travel advice on the Foreign Office website.

“Most people have a very enjoyable holiday, a very trouble-free holiday,” he told

“But there are risks and we’ve set these out in our travel advice which you can access on the Foreign Office website.

“In particular we do mention that there have been incidents involving Western tourists in Koh Phangan, so there are risks in going anywhere and I think Thailand is certainly not completely trouble free.”

Police Colonel Kittakarn Kramomthong, chief of police at the island’s station, said officers have arrested a 26-year-old Thai man and confiscated a gun.

The man is expected to be charged with manslaughter, he said.

The suspect’s first court appearance is likely to be delayed until Thursday while Mr Ashton’s body is formally identified.

She added that while Thailand is generally safe, there is an “undercurrent of violence” in parts of the country.

Thai police said Mr Ashton was with a group of friends and 300 other tourists celebrating the countdown to 2013 at a pub and restaurant called the Zoom Bar at Haad Rin beach when he was shot with a homemade gun shortly after 4am on Tuesday.

The Bangkok Post said he was visiting the island with four or five friends and was staying at Pink Bungalow on Haad Rin.

Confirming the identity of the victim, a Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are aware of the death of a British national in Thailand on New Year’s Eve and we are providing consular assistance to the family.”

Friends expressed their shock at Mr Ashton’s death and paid tribute to him on social networking sites.

Robbie-Cameron Gray took to Mr Ashton’s Facebook page to express his grief and posted a photograph of the two of them as young boys.

He said: “Don’t want to believe it. Still got photos of us on my wall from football and school. Will miss you mate.”

Aaron Kelly wrote on Facebook: “Horrible news. Be good up there mate.”

Neighbour Dawn Mason, 48, described Mr Ashton as a “very normal, likeable young man”.

His family moved to the upmarket area of Purley, south London, about three years ago, she said.

“They’ve always been very nice neighbours.

“If Stephen or his sister Emily had parties, they’d always be at the house with their parents so they knew where they were. I went to the house today and the family just seem in complete shock.”

The tropical island of Koh Phangan, situated north of tourist haven Ko Samui in the Gulf of Thailand, is a popular destination for backpackers and students on gap years.

One of the attractions of the island is its monthly full moon party at Haad Rin Beach, and many people know it as the setting for Alex Garland’s novel The Beach, which was made into a film starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

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