A CHEF threw himself from a first-floor balcony at Bangkok Airport in Thailand, an inquest on the Isle of Wight heard today (Tuesday).
Edward Baker, 35, who had suffered from mental health issues for years, including anxiety and paranoia, became overwhelmed by the 'assault on his senses’ he experienced when he arrived at the Far Eastern holiday destination, Isle of Wight coroner, Caroline Sumeray concluded.
She said: "The heat, humidity, noise and hustle and bustle. If you are already suffering from mental health issues, it must be really overwhelming."
The inquest heard Mr Baker, of Station Avenue, Sandown, had gone on the trip of a lifetime with his long-term close friend, Edward O’Keefe, now 58, in November 2015.
However, after a long-haul flight, the two men, known as 'Big Ed and Little Ed’ became stuck at the airport when Mr Baker refused to take a train to their next destination in Thailand.
Mr O’Keefe remained with his friend for four days at the airport, eventually persuading him to take a flight to their planned destination instead.
However, as the pair were boarding the aircraft, Mr Baker refused to get on, and Mr O’Keefe went on alone.

They liaised with tourist police at the airport but he managed to give security officers the slip and plunged from a first-floor balcony on November 27.
He suffered a traumatic head injury and died in hospital.
Ms Sumeray told Mr O’Keefe he should not blame himself for Mr Baker’s death and he had expressed considerable concern for his welfare. She concluded Mr Baker had killed himself while the balance of his mind was disturbed.