One of the last people to see Shane Warne alive says the legendary cricketer was 'buzzing' when he visited him to get suits made last Friday.
Parsuram Panday, 44, runs Brioni tailors and was pleasantly surprised when repeat customer Warne arrived unannounced about 1pm - his 'infectious laugh' ringing out through the Koh Samui store.
Just four hours later, getty center drive los angeles ca the spin bowling king was found dead in his luxury villa overlooking the ocean.
Warne's body is due to be transported back to Australia on Wednesday from Bangkok ahead of a state funeral with a 100,000-strong crowd expected at the MCG.
Back on the Thai island where he died, locals who got to know Warne are still reeling from his death.
Warne, 52, last purchased 10 suits off Mr Panday back in 2019, right before the Covid pandemic wiped out all international travel.
Warne, who was adored by locals, never made much of a fuss when he came to visit and generally stayed with friends at the Samujana Villas, which is reportedly owned by one of his mates.
The body of Australian cricket icon Shane Warne (pictured in 2014) will likely be returned home to Melbourne on Wednesday
Parsuram Panday (pictured holding a suit ordered by Warne before his death), a tailor on the island Koh Samui received a surprise visit from the cricket legend on Friday.
He was one of the last people to see him alive
'It is unlike him to come out of the villa and travel to us.
He likes to keep a low profile when he visits,' Mr Panday - who is known as Mr Ram among locals - told Daily Mail Australia.
But on Friday, he visited Mr Ram's small store.
'He was buzzing. Excited to be back on the island, to enjoy a trip with friends.
He had an infectious laugh,' Mr Ram said.
Warne gave Mr Ram a pat on the back and a bear hug, noting how long it had been since they last saw one another.
Over the course of an hour, Warne picked out five blazers, 10 pairs of slacks, five pairs of shorts and another five shirts.
He was sized up and the order was placed.
He was found dead in his resort just four hours later.
A post-mortem confirmed he died of 'natural causes', believed to be a fatal heart attack.